OPINION A Tribute to An Icon: Emile Prom a.k.a. E Boy By Pa Louis Thomasi
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January 12, 2006
How fast and slow do you come to take our friends, parents, neighbours and loved ones from us; How often do you shock us and grip us with grief when you come to register your presence suddenly; Death! Oh inevitable death, you have taken Emile away from us, too soon and too quick. Another Lion is down and out.
Ask me about Emile Prom, and what automatically comes to my mind is that famous number fourteen (14) green shirt that he wore, while playing for the Augustinians Football Club. A short and tiny centre forward, a daring and courageous attacker, a true finisher, winner and champion in his own rights. Emile will always be remembered for his exploits on the football field, most especially with the Augustinians Football Club at the Divisional Level and with the Juventus Football Club at the Nawettan level.
Born in 1965, Emile grew up at Dobson Street, at Kerr Marie Njie Sabusi in Banjul, with all the humility, self pride, respect, obedience and discipline that were associated with the big catholic homes in Banjul. Coming from a home where super star Leon Prom had lived, Emile quickly made a name for himself, because of his quick legs and dazzling moves that had embarrassed many bigger youths of his time. Playing bear footed at Dobson Street, Bayeh Half-Die and at the Saint Augustine's Secondary Technical School (S.A.S.T.S.) grounds, the talents in the then young boy became so noticeable and were admired by many, some of whom later persuaded him to play for their teams. While at Saint Augustine's Secondary Technical School, Emile was a force to be reckoned with in junior football, winning the secondary school junior championship. During his sojourn at Saint Augustine's Secondary Technical School, Emile was quickly spotted by the greatest talent developer in the country at that time,
Father Joseph Andrew Gough, and Emile despite his small size joined the wave of great sportsmen that moved from S.A.S.T.S to Saint Augustine's High School, (S.A.H.S) during the years of the great exodus.
Despite the numerous calls he had from various teams, Emile associated himself with the Augustinians Football Club during the 1980s. This, however, may have more to do with family tradition, as this team was baptised and christened by the Late Pa Louis Prom. It is his contributions to this club that Emile will be best remembered for, most especially during the 1985, 1986 and 1987 football seasons. Under the tutelage of the astute disciplinarian coach, Sam Thorpe, Emile together with his friends and associates; Tony Jatta (Abega) Tony Mendy (Molars) Ebou Nduka, Eugene Coker (Bamy) Banja Senghore, Michael Kargbo, Babou Drammeh, Pa Abdou Sarr and Alasan Trine, successfully upset the football status- quo, by becoming League Champions in the 1985/86 Gambia Football Association (GFA) League.
Emile Prom was very much instrumental in the second round victory against Wallidan Football Club that gave Augustinians the two points they needed to become league champions. It could be recalled that prior to this encounter, Wallidan needed two points to line up with Augustinians at the top of the table. However, Emile became the deciding factor. A courageous and determined attacker, Emile caused havoc, wrecked, tantalised and traumatised a Wallidan defence that was marshalled by the great Lamin Owens and Joseph Gomez (Joe Tennis) forcing them to deal with a tsunami. He was eventually brought down in the area and Captain Tony Jatta beautifully converted the penalty, giving Augustinians a well deserved victory.
But perhaps, 1986, was Emile's finest year in Gambian football. We at Half-Die will surely remember him for the immense contributions that he made while playing for Juventus Football Club. After becoming a League champion, Emile rejoined ranks with the likes of Moses Sarr( Zico Bla), Pa Alieu Njie (Jaigu), Modou Ngum (Dobally), Kissama Joberteh, Badou Samba (Boy Bandi), Amadou Njie (Branco), Goalkeeper Sheriff Mbye, Omar Hatab Mboob (Funa), Habib Fye and Ousman Ceesay at Juventus, during the 1986 Banjul Nawettan. Under the management of Colley Fye and Babou Lowe (a long time admirer of Emile at Dobson Street) Juventus became both League and Knock Out champions in 1986 repeating a feat in Half-Die that was only achieved by the great K.G.V team in the 1970s.
At Juventus Emile was a key architect. Not only had he been a goal merchant for the team, but Emile played a deeper role in midfield assisting Moses Sarr (Zico) and Badou Samba to do the damage whenever it was necessary. At Juventus, Emile brought along with him, some strange (at the time) but sound professional qualities that were synonymous only with the Sam Thorpe school. Loyalty to the team was his anthem and commitment to training his daily prayer. He frowned absolutely at lateness to training and demanded complete silence when he led those deadly marathons along the beach in Banjul. He insisted on fitness and alertness and imposed an order that youngsters in the team must show maximum respect to their elders. For this there was no compromise.
Emile was without doubt a player of great dynamism, commitment and determination. He wanted to win every game, thus his constant struggle on the field, taking unimaginable risk most of the time. Deny him a pass in the area and he will rush at you and ask "suma raka lu la jott". For us young Catholics playing with him at Juventus, Emile was a real mentor. He taught us many things on and off the field. I can remember him as if it were this hour, with his Rosary around his neck buried under his jersey. He had always insisted that we should make the Sign of the Cross before entering the field. He taught us decency and instilled in every young player self-belief and self-sacrifice. He was magnanimous and generous and a very accommodating character. He never speaks behind the scenes. He will always say his mind right in front of the team. Emile was a gentleman in every ramification.
One side of Emile that is not very well known is that he was also a great volleyball player. A "graduate" of the Jobe Sasu (Moleh yi) school, Emile was a fine passer of the ball. He played for the Augustinians Volleyball Team for two seasons, 1983/84 season and the 1984/85 season. Here also he continued to demonstrate his commitment to the team.
We have indeed lost a great talent.
Let me therefore seize this opportunity to extend my sincere condolence to Mrs. Granny Prom and family, the entire Prom family in the Gambia, the members of the Augustinians Football and Volleyball teams and the Half- Die football fraternity.
ADIEU My Friend ADIEU EMILE "God be with you till we meet again".
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