PICTURE THIS

'I admire those who don't have time to watch football, because they have the time for other things which will not kill them suddenly' Ebrima Baldeh writes about his impressions on the early exit of the Gambia cadet team in CAF under 17 in Rwanda.

The failure of our darling scorpions as they are known in the Gambia has attracted series of comments and criticisms about which way Gambian cadet football is heading to after the shocking exit in Kigali.

May be they weren't just not lucky to go all the way, I mean the Under 17 team who represented the Gambia in the CAF cadet tournament, only to be kicked out of the competition after succumbing to a humiliating defeat in the hands of Ivory Coast last Saturday.


The defeat was the second since the tournament started last week, like if it was just under a spell, Congo hammered us on Sunday with three goals to nothing and along the way Gambia mauled Mali. On the following Saturday, Ivory Coast would have its own turn to finally send us crashing disgracefully out of Rwanda 2011.


Calls and text messages started flowing into the popular sports programme on West Coast FM radio, throwing missiles on the coach for the dismal performance of the Under 17. Others went further to blame the MRI test for spoiling the tournament for us after eight players were dropped after the age-test. Others players were equally tested with reports that it had also affected them.

The Gambia indeed started playing well in the Under 17 since 2003 when the best performance was took us to the second round. And two years after that, the Gambia had the rare chance of hosting the tournament and went ahead to win the tournament for the first time in its football history.


Two years later, the defending Champions went to Algeria in 2009 to defend the title and lifted the trophy again. The euphoria that went along with it huge profits, a million dalasi was given to all the players who participated in the tournament. That was the highest prize President Jammeh presented to the young footballers.


Earlier, the country had represented the country in the junior World Cup in Peru where the first match against Brazil was historic - Gambia 3 -Brazil 1


Now people are beginning to forget that the game of football is full of actions, ups and downs, which ultimately meant that we have refused to accept or submit ourselves to the rules of the GAME. We have harsh words for the coach and the team that had in our opinions woefully failed us.

However, we need to remember that sometimes one has to fail to gain experience so that one can learn from the mistakes of the past and move ahead. I support comments that are positively directed and expressed in a constructive manner, so that it would serve as a lesson for the technicians who might have select another team next time.

The Gambia should count themselves lucky to have grabbed the trophy twice, while other countries in Africa or around the world are yet to appear at such high profile sporting games. The Drawing Board is the place we should retreat and take our place on the game.

BE OPTIMISTIC sometimes

A New Year, they say should bring good tidings which means that anything sort of this expectation is usually considered 'not' welcomed. Yes, come to think of it, on the first weekend of the new year Gambian football fans were humbled for the rest of last Sunday morning -Reason? Their team was hammered three goals to nothing by Congo.

The Football tournament underway in Rwanda for the Under 17 category of the African Cup of Nations has generated a lot fanfare around Africa and the rest of the world. I can vividly recalled in November 2009 when I traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to cover the OIC Summit, our crew crossed over to the Asian side and met some Algerians who claimed to have naturalised in Belgium. The duo told me how the Gambian team had remarkably performed during the tournament in Algeria.

For this year's team to succumbed to such a humiliating defeat begs for questions than answers especially as defending champs. But being an optimistic, I want to concur with the underfire coach Lamin Sambou that something positive will happen today in our second match against Mali. Is do or die for them too, having lost to Ivory Coast. So where are you are, try and watch that Game by 15 hrs GAMBIA VS MALI.

Gambian celebrates the birth of 2011

Ebrima Baldeh joined his colleagues to report on the spectacular new year celebrations at Senegambia.

This area is undoubtedly one of the most famous places in the burgeoning tourism industry. According to records, tourism contributes a staggering sixteen percent to the country’s gross domestic product. In this enclave call the Senegambia, you have more hotels in this area than anywhere else in the Gambia.

The dawn of the New Year was the first time that I have visited the area during this period. So crowded and frustrating party goers had no option but to hobble into the road paying attention on those who pilfer things. Others would look at you in the face and you begin to wonder when last you met such kinds of people.

At Senegambia road from the traffic light on the Bertil Harding highway, the traffic is busy as usual with all eyes focused on Senegambia for the big new year party.

Our car had to pack metres away from where the action had taken place, as the count down began, fire works rented the air. Flashes of light sparkle areas where the streets had failed to work as of that time the new year was coming.

Few people bothered to look at who is standing next to them, all eyes were on the sky, the fireworks thundering and cries of happiness took over. some holding their bottles, standing in rows, watching as the new year was coming from the sky.

Such was the scene at Senegambia as of the time we left. We were late, some people told us there was a big party at Kairaba Beach Hotel, Kololi Casino and Senegambia.

We had to rush back to the studio on time. And we went straight and crossed so many road blocks.

Message from the publisher

Ebrima Baldeh holding the Gambian flag


Dear reader,

Let me use this opportunity to thank all those who have one way or the other supported and encouraged me to continue publishing BALDEH BOLONG during the course of the year. Even though there were times I felt that I should give up due to one reason or the other.

At this time of the year many of you are either in your respective countries on break or abroad serving in the diplomatic arena. It has not been easy, just like life itself, but you managed to stay in touch thanks to the beauty of the Information Technology. Every year, we pray and thank God for giving us another opportunity to witness another year in our lifetime.

To those of you who are still praying for Allah's protection in your personal or official endeavours, I say you it will be well you by the grace of God.

Keep in touch and enjoy your life if you can spare time.


Ebrima Baldeh
Fula Bantang village, CRR

Guess who is right?

The small West African nation of Ivory Coast is currently led by two Presidents: one is Alassane Quattara and the other is President Laurent Gbagbo. Who is right and who is wrong?
Write and send your reactions.

WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN

THESE ARE INTERESTING AND STRANGE TIMES IN THE CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF THE GAME OF FOOTBALL. UNLESS IF YOU REFUSE TO BE DRAGGED INTO THE UN-ENDING DEBATE ABOUT WHO BEST STRIKER IS, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE WORLD WAS LITERARY BOMBARDED WITH CAMPS BEATING THEIR CHEST THAT THEIR SIDE WILL WIN AT THE END OF THE DAY.




I'M REFERRING TO THE DUST THAT ACCOMPANIED THE S0-CALLED EL CLASSICO BETWEEN TWO OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE WORLD - BARCELONA AND REAL MADRIB.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON, REAL MADRID HAS NEVER BEEN DEFEATED, THAT SLENDER LEAD IN THE SPANISH LEAGUE SUDDENLY FALTERED ON A DAY THAT WAS CRUCIAL, THAT IS IF THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WINNING THE LA LIGA. UNDER THE ARROGANT AND SENSATIONAL COACH JOSE MOURINHO, REAL MADRIB BELEIVE THEY ARE SURELY GOING TO GET IT - WIN ALL THAT IS THERE TO BE WON!. THE FIVE GOALS THAT ENTERED THE NET DID NOT ONLY SUCCEEDED IN HUMILIATING REAL, BUT EACH AND EVERY FAN WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE TEAM.

REAL COULDN'T SPARK AT ALL.

THAT NIGHT IN BARCA, THE REAL MADRIB BOYS FAILED MISERABLY TO SCORE, AND BARCA DID WHAT THEY WERE ASKED TO DO - HUMILIATE REAL AND SHOW THEM THAT ( THEY) THAT IS BARCA, ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

IN ENGLAND, THE PREMIERE LEAGUE IS MAKING EVERY ONE EXCITED THAT ANY TEAM THAT CAN LIFT THE TROPHY. CHELSEA HAS BEEN AT THEIR VERY BEST AT THE START OF THE SEASON, NOT ANYMORE, THE TEAM IS TRYING TO REDEFINE ITSELF AND CLOSE THAT GAP AND CONTINUE LEADING. WHAT IS HAPPENING AT CHELSEA PERHAPS DOVETAIL WITH WHAT SOME SOCIAL SCIENTIST EQUATE TO THIS CLASSIC EXAMPLE: 'ANYONE CAN STAY ON TOP, BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE THERE FOR SO LONG'

FIFA GOT IT RIGHT MAY BE.

All eyes were literary fixed on Zurich for all day long, but as soon as the announcements were made. The news was not at all surprising: Qatar has never had the opportunity to host the World Cup, now this wealthy middle eastern nation is going to do that in twelve years time. Russia is not famous especially when it comes to press freedom and democracy and the rule of law, but its billionaries are literary crazy about the game of football. Isn't it a good time for Russians to enjoy football fiesta at home?

As regard the other nations, at FIFA there is nothing like so-called dominant powers who try to elbow countries. No, it is about Fair Play, which is more or less about giving each and every nation the chance to host the World Cup.

Which is why England, South Korea, the United States and disappointingly Australia was equally ditched. While we are yet to know what precisely happened, but one thing we can speculate is that FIFA is trying to assert its voice tilting toward the direction of uncharted territories.

Except Australia, the other countries have at least even if was long time ago as in the case of England have hosted the WORLD CUP. So it is time to give chance to those who have never hosted the WORLD CUP.