Tributes continue to flow from both home and abroad for Hon. Alhaji Omar Baru Sey, a former cabinet minister and head to the now defucnt Gambia Football Association(GFA), who passed away on Friday 2nd March 2018 at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (formerly RVTH) in Banjul.

Hon. Sey, who also served in both the world Football Governing Body (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in various capacities, where he is credited to have played a pioneering role in shaping the the global game, also served as the External Affairs Minister (Foreign Affairs) for The Gambia between 1987 – 1994 under the PPP government led by Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, which was ousted by the military led by Yahya AJJ Jammeh in the 94 coup.

Applauded for his leadership and proficiency in Diplomacy, Mr Sey who was born in the town of Basse, in the Upper River Region(URR) of The Gambia in 1941, was regarded as one the finest Gambia ever had in that portfolio.

Sey will later become one of The Gambia’s most highly educated sons, having graduated with a PHD in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, where he had also serve as one of the first African lecturers at the University.

Funeral – Congregation prayer for the former football chief at Pipeline Mosque

However Sey’s contributions in sports, particularly football, at both national and international levels, will ever earn him his most reverence, particularly in The Gambia, where he had served as the first Director of Youths Sports and Culture upon his return home from the US, when the department was first launched in 1972. Having previously served in football as a FIFA match referee and match commissioner and also served as the Chairman of the CAF Referees’ committee.

Sey went on to play an important role in CAF, where he served as an Executive member and its is reported that he paved the way for the former CAF president Issa Hayatou, whom he’d served as assistant, to become the head of the organisation, after he turned down the opportunity to take up the role, as he weighed in the lure to become The Gambia’s Foreign Minister after being convinced to join into politics by his close friend and cousin Ousainou Njai, which led to his appointment as the Gambia’s External Affairs minister.

Sey(M) with former President Jawara (L)

However, Me sey continued to be involved in the sport, on both the national and international scenes even after leaving his post as cabinet minister following the military take over in 94. He had worked with FIFA as political adviser and was the president of the then Gambia Football Association (GFA) when the country hosted and won the 2005 African U-17 Championship in Banjul.

He was also the Vice Chaiman of the Normalisation Committee that oversaw the transition from The Gambia Football Association to the current The Gambia Football Federation, which was ordered by the then FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter to address the crisis ushered by an alleged government interference after the former Sports minister Alieu K Jammeh dissolved the Football Association in 2012.

In leading the merited glowing tributes to the former national icon, whom the GFF described as a ‘beacon of hope’, the Federation’s President Lamin Kabba Bajo wrote: “You are gone but you will ever remain in our hearts. You have positively impacted on the lives of many. Gambian and Global Football will ever remember you uncle OS. May Allah grant your soul Janatul Firdaws.”

Mr Sey (M) current FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) and FIFA Sec Gen Fatima Samoa (R)

The Football Federation also paid homage to Sey for his unrelenting contributions towards the development of the sport in The Gambia, including his recent contributions as adviser to the current administration and on their tribute on Federation’s website, they have announced the cancellation of all football matches scheduled for Friday in repect for .the deceased.

“In respect and consideration of the contribution he has made to football development in The Gambia in particular, and Africa and the world in general, the GFF has called off all its league matches that were scheduled to play today.”

Another former GFA president, and a legendary Gambian sport personality, who had worked with Mr Sey in Youth Sports, Mr George F Gomez also added to the flurry of acclamations for the former minister, describing him as one of the greatest thinkers of the Gambia.

“The news of the demise of Alhaji Omar Sey, one of the greatest thinkers of The Gambia was received great shock. Omar contributed to the development of sports much more than anyone else in The Gambia,” wrote Gomez, before adding:

“He represented the country well in several youth and sports conferences and due to his honesty and intelligence, he was appointed in many offices of responsibility and influenced several meetings and conferences to be held in The Gambia, thereby putting the country in a prominent place in African sports.

“The Gambia has lost a great man. An honest and humble person. A gentleman who loves his country and a pioneer of numerous programs in youth and sports development in this country.

“We shall do a full tribute to a great guy whom I have worked with for many years. May his soul rest in peace ,” George concluded.

The GFF’s current Secretary General and for administrative staff under Sey at GFA, Mr Lamin Jassey also followed suit in paying his condolence to the man he described as a dad, boss and mentor.

“My dad, my former boss, my mentor, my great friend, the man who taught me about life, administration and diplomacy, Alhaji Omar Sey is gone. His demise is a monumental loss to the nation and to Gambian and African football.

Sey, who is survived by a wife, Mrs Khadijatou Jallow Sey and Children Amadou, Ousainou, Modou and Isha Sey was laid to rest on Friday evening at the Old Jeshwang cemetery. May Allah SWT grant him Jannatul Firdaws.

By: Omar Jatta