The Gambia’s highly respected football referee, Papa Bakary Gassama is reported to have sponsored a ten-team junior tournament in Sukuta, which kicked off  at the Dembadu mini stadium over the weekend.

Gassama, Who recently won the Africa’s best referee’s award at the star studded Glo- CAF annual end of the year award in Abuja, Nigeria, his second successive victory for the top award is sponsoring the junior championship to fully recognise, appreciate and celebrate his sterling performances in the past year, according to the coordinator and chief organizer of the tournament, Sidi Manneh, a retired FIFA assistant referee, who described the highly rated official as “a true and worthy ambassador of sports in The Gambia.”

Speaking further to the reporters at opening game of the tourney at Dembadu stadium, Mr Manneh said the tournament would serve as “a dress rehearsal to identify and select players for a team that would represent Sukuta at the regional third division qualifiers.” Also adding: “It is also out to maximally engage the youth in productive and useful activities.” He maintained he would use the tournament as a platform to showcase the young talents in Sukuta.

Also present at the opening of the championship was the deputy secretary general of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Abdou Salaam Jammeh, who presided over the kickoff. The first game was between Sevilla and Fulham, which ended in aone-all draw.

The ten teams vying for the coveted trophy are Karaba, Golden, Monaco, Fulham, Sevilla, Nema City, Young Sitaba, Rangers, Blaze and Star Light.

.