By Olimatou Coker
The New Yundum Sports Association NYSA yesterday called on Sports Minister Bakary Badjie to introduce the body and seek government support in its efforts to develop sports in the area.
The delegation was led by NYSA president, Musa Sanyang, and included other members such as the alkalo of New Yundum, Village Development Committee members and youth representatives among others.
The delegation informed the minister of its vision and mandate as well as highlighted challenges facing sports development in the community, especially flooding during the rains making the town’s playing ground unusable .
Minister Bakary Badjie thanked the delegation for the visit and revealed that the New Yundum football field is already in the government’s plan for development .
“Earlier last year, I sent a team to survey the field and I am impressed that the community has taken interest and putting it on its agenda on this visit ,” the minister said.
Minister Badjie also assured the delegation that his Ministry would work towards providing a temporary solution to enable the community to continue hosting football matches during the rainy season while plans for the permanent development of the field progress.
NYSA president Musa Sanyang welcomed the minister’s pledge to urgently provide a temporary solution that would allow football activities to continue throughout the rainy season.
Alkalo Ousman Bojang told the minister that New Yundum cannot fix the football field all by itself and that is why they are seeking government’s support to help tackle the challenges affecting football development in the community.”
New Yundum native Bakary Terema Dahaba, a veteran national football administrator and adviser to NYSA, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and communities in advancing grassroots sports development.