Hi Kabir!
I agree with you that Oko was too harsh on our dear sister.
The scathing remarks were really not necessary. I am sure Adama did her
absolute best and did not put in that performance to shame the Gambian
nation.
An athlete from an African country some time back competed in some long
distance event at the Olympics. (I think the marathon. I do not really
remember the details. I saw the clip and commentary some time ago). The guy
came in last (I think close to an hour or so after the winner came in)
bleeding and with bandages on his feet. Everyone was surprised that he
bothered to even complete the race given that he was so far behind. When he
was asked why he bothered to complete the race after lagging so far behind,
he replied that his country did not send him to the Olympics just to take
part but to finish what he was taking part in. That truly captured the
hearts of the people and his spirit of competition is still talked about
because of his legendary feat. I guess Adama could have simply given up
after lagging behind but who knows what was going on in her mind. Maybe she
too was thinking that her country did not send her just to take part but to
also finish what she was taking part in. In that respect, we should commend
her for her performance and encourage her. We do not know what resources she
had. For her to compete, she must have successfully completed her
qualification rounds at the standard set for Olympics qualification. Gambian
sportsmen do the impossible given the lack of resources and encouragement.
We should therefore encourage our athletes and not discourage them. For what
it is worth, I hope Adama knows that I am one Gambian who truly appreciates
her input. The same goes to Jaysuma. Thanks and have a good evening.
Buharry.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Amadu Kabir Njie" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2004 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: Olympics misfortune for The Gambia/
> "You can't cut on quality."
> Oko Drammeh
>
> Exactly my sentiments; you can't cut on quality. But in order to produce
> quality the facilities must be in place. We can't just will it into
> existence with a magic wan. Sports authorities in The Gambia are
responsible
> to a large extend for the failure of sports in that country. Period!
>
> Jaysuma Ndure, who put in a better performance does not train in Banjul;
he
> lives and trains here in Norway where, though they are not known for
> producing the best of sprinters, know what it takes to nurture them. The
> time Ndure clocked is a record for a Gambian, which tell volumes!
>
> Sportsmen back home, suffering under the brunt of the present economic
> situation, have bread and butter issues to consider first and foremost.
> Peace of mind and concentration are important ingredients that almost all
> successful athletes have required whiles building up their careers. It's
all
> a process that eventually develops into a culture and takes several years
to
> build, of course with the active participation of the responsible
> authorities. You can't send a poorly trained, poorly equipped soldier into
> battle and blames him for losing the fight.
>
> Gambia did not send Isatou Njie-Saidy, for example, to compete in the
Games
> because Adama Njie happened to be the best the country could produce and
for
> her to fail to match other competitors can't be blame on her but squarely.
> Afterall, she's THE BEST we have to offer.
>
> If we must blame someone, it is at the doorsteps of Yaya's government it
> must be laid squarely. Nowhere else, unless and until all facilities and
> support structures are put in place and we continue to perform poorly.
Then
> and only then...
>
> I hope you see my point now?
>
> Regards,
>
> Kabir.
>
>
>
>
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Saturday, August 21, 2004 12:31 PM
>
> > Kabir,
> > Only an objective assesment. You saw the way she came so late,that kind
> > of out of time is outdated. This was my concern.
> >
> > Thankfully, this morning Jaysuma Ndure ( made a false start and all
> > cameras were on him) put Gambia on the map
> > restored us back into contention after he qualified for 100 meters
> > clocking 10.46 third in position running next to Obikwalu.
> > He is on again this eveing for round two to make it to quarter finals.
> >
> > After watching Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa, I know
> > for sure that we have some buckle up to do.
> >
> > You can't cut on quality.
> > Oko Drammeh
> >
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