At least 21 Gambian in the area of music, sports and arts were last Friday honoured at the first ever annual Gambian Talents Awards held at the Jama Hall, Kairaba Hotel.

Organised by Saul Sounds and Joluv Arts in the United Kingdom in collaboration with Gambia Talents Promotions based in Atlanta Georgia, United States of America, the award night was designed to annually celebrate, reward and promote distinguished Gambian who have excelled and made significant achievement in their respective fields of endeavours.

The program was attended by SoS for Youths, Sports and Religious Affairs , Mass Axi Gaye, Hon Alagie Sillah , National Assembly Member for Banjul-North, Oko Drammeh, a renowned Gambian producer, Abdel Kabirr Ngum of Soto Koto Band, and Jaliba Kuyateh, among other dignitaries.

However, the well attended gathering cut across the entire spectrum of Gambian music ranging from the old and accomplished to the emerging new generation and the rising stars in various categories. It was characterised by performances, backed by live band, by various Gambian stars like, Njie B- the Conqueror, Singateh aka Freaky Joe, Jalex aka (Akuntu), Oumie Ngum, Nancy Nanz just to name a few.

Speaking at the ceremony, Oko Drammeh, an International Gambian producer thanked the President Jammeh for supporting Gambian musicians noting that few years back there was no television were we could watch our stars.

He commended the organisers for their good initiatives and called on the artists to learn from their elders. Peter Ibrima, Marketing officer Africell, expressed gratitude to the people for their turn out and commended the organisers for their efforts.

For his Part, Saul Sowe, Managing Director of Joluv Arts in the United Kingdom, thanked the people for their turn out.

According to him, the award night was just the beginning as they will make it an annual event.

"We have to come back and give our people the little knowledge we get abroad and hope with your collaboration we will achieve our future aspirations," he said.

Joluv Arts Entertainment boss described the event as a total success, noting that this "is another way of motivating our young talents", and thanked corporate sponsors like Africell for their support.