Back and Next - Back and NextGambia U-17 arrive to hero’s welcome
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Gambia’s U-17 team, last Saturday got a tumultuous welcome, on arrival in Banjul after they attended the African U-17 championship in Ageria.
Tens of thousands of Gambians were at the Banjul International Airport to receive the African champions. Tens of thousands more lined the highway, from the airport gate, through Lamin, cheering them up all the way as they rode through to Banjul, where they were to be received by the man acclaimed as their number 1 supporter, President Jammeh.
Saturday’s turnout has been described as the largest in the history of The Gambia, and it demonstrated the high degree of pride this youngest crop of footballers have generated in a nation that has over the years grown with a genuine sense of self-esteem.
The climax of the celebration of this remarkable continental triumph was at the 22nd July Square in Banjul, where a nightlong party was organised, in honour of the team, fulfilling a promise the Gambian leader had made to the Darling Scorpions, much to the delight of the many fans of the team. The proud winners of the 8th edition of the 2009 African Under-17 Championship in Algeria were given a rousing welcome by the Gambian fans who had gathered at the Banjul International Airport in large numbers to catch a glimpse of their heroes. The chartered plane carrying the Baby Scorpions back from Algeria landed at the airport at around 5:00pm.
The fair-looking pilot waved a Gambian flag through the cockpit window as the plane came to a halt. The visibly-elated team boss, Seedy Kinteh, held up the gold trophy as he and other members of the squad emerged to cheers from thousands of waiting fans, including the secretary of state for Youth and Sports, Sheriff Gomez. Senior government officials and service chiefs were also present to greet the team. The squad, which defeated hosts Algeria 3-1 on Thursday to lift the trophy, were taken in coasters from the airport to the July 22nd Square in Banjul, where the sports-loving Gambian leader, Professor Jammeh, honoured them with a special victory celebration amidst thousands of their faithful.
Exciting fans wearing T-shirts, with the effigy of the Baby Scorpions, mobbed the team’s coasters. Bouncers intervened, whisking the team off into a convoy of vehicles, snaking their way into the capital, hooting and cheering. Business came to a momentary halt as thousands showed up to have a glimpse of their heroes. GFA President Seedy Kinteh, who headed the team to Algeria, said the victory is dream come true. "It was not an easy job for us because of the group we found ourselves in. It was the group of ‘death’ that had the host and some other big names like Guinea and Cameroon," he said. "But we defied bookmakers by winning all our group matches before snatching the cup in the face of the hosts." "The Gambia were also awarded the Most Disciplined trophy by the organisers - the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Our goalkeeper was also named the best goalkeeper of the tournament - having conceded only one goal, which only came in the final match against Algeria."
"We were able to do all this because of the valuable support of our president, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, who has always been there for us." "I will thank His Excellency for his support and concern for the team, leading us to these great achievements," said Kinteh, who also hailed their host Algeria for their support during their two-week stay in the North African country.
Tens of thousands of Gambians were at the Banjul International Airport to receive the African champions. Tens of thousands more lined the highway, from the airport gate, through Lamin, cheering them up all the way as they rode through to Banjul, where they were to be received by the man acclaimed as their number 1 supporter, President Jammeh.
Saturday’s turnout has been described as the largest in the history of The Gambia, and it demonstrated the high degree of pride this youngest crop of footballers have generated in a nation that has over the years grown with a genuine sense of self-esteem.
The climax of the celebration of this remarkable continental triumph was at the 22nd July Square in Banjul, where a nightlong party was organised, in honour of the team, fulfilling a promise the Gambian leader had made to the Darling Scorpions, much to the delight of the many fans of the team. The proud winners of the 8th edition of the 2009 African Under-17 Championship in Algeria were given a rousing welcome by the Gambian fans who had gathered at the Banjul International Airport in large numbers to catch a glimpse of their heroes. The chartered plane carrying the Baby Scorpions back from Algeria landed at the airport at around 5:00pm.
The fair-looking pilot waved a Gambian flag through the cockpit window as the plane came to a halt. The visibly-elated team boss, Seedy Kinteh, held up the gold trophy as he and other members of the squad emerged to cheers from thousands of waiting fans, including the secretary of state for Youth and Sports, Sheriff Gomez. Senior government officials and service chiefs were also present to greet the team. The squad, which defeated hosts Algeria 3-1 on Thursday to lift the trophy, were taken in coasters from the airport to the July 22nd Square in Banjul, where the sports-loving Gambian leader, Professor Jammeh, honoured them with a special victory celebration amidst thousands of their faithful.
Exciting fans wearing T-shirts, with the effigy of the Baby Scorpions, mobbed the team’s coasters. Bouncers intervened, whisking the team off into a convoy of vehicles, snaking their way into the capital, hooting and cheering. Business came to a momentary halt as thousands showed up to have a glimpse of their heroes. GFA President Seedy Kinteh, who headed the team to Algeria, said the victory is dream come true. "It was not an easy job for us because of the group we found ourselves in. It was the group of ‘death’ that had the host and some other big names like Guinea and Cameroon," he said. "But we defied bookmakers by winning all our group matches before snatching the cup in the face of the hosts." "The Gambia were also awarded the Most Disciplined trophy by the organisers - the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Our goalkeeper was also named the best goalkeeper of the tournament - having conceded only one goal, which only came in the final match against Algeria."
"We were able to do all this because of the valuable support of our president, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, who has always been there for us." "I will thank His Excellency for his support and concern for the team, leading us to these great achievements," said Kinteh, who also hailed their host Algeria for their support during their two-week stay in the North African country.
Author: DO
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