Mariatou Jobarteh: 2007 National Sports Journalist Female Referee of the Year

Born in 1982 in the Western Region village of Lamin. She attended St. Peter’s Primary School and Brikama Junior Secondary School before proceeding to Gambia Senior Secondary School.

This lady graduated in 2002. Whilst in school, she thought sports would compliment her academic pursuits. She was a student athlete competing for her school in the 800 metres event during inter secondary school competitions. She gained a good reputation for her sporting performances whilst in school which culminated in adding to her love of sports. As the sports schools of thought have it that once a sports person, ever a sports person. She then changed her sports career in the dawn of the new millennium to join the GFA to officiate Female league matches. In other words, she chose to be a football referee.

She can still remember the first match over which she officiated as it was during the National Youth Conference and Festival event fondly called NAYCONF. Since then, her commitment and dedication to making the game of football represent the fair play slogan increased from good to better. She remains very vibrant in the GFA administered football matches, both the female league and the mainstream GFA league. She has won high regards for herself from players, coaches and football administrators. She also completed the referee’s intermediate course in 2004.