Now i do agree with one of Dr.Havenlange's(former FIFA President) statement where he said FIFA was the most powerful organization in the world.When asked why that,he simply said,"which sport or actinvity do you think can bring the whole world together within minutes, only football can do that". Look at what is happening in the bantaba now.Can't just believe my eyes when i saw Joe Sambou's posting.Wounderful footballer he was.I use to enjoy his little dashes. Concerning the above topic, i think Omar,Yus,Joe and OB have said it all. The issue of engaging European Coaches by African FAs is a great sickness in the Continent.To me it is agreat insult on our intellengence.What special skills do they inject onto our players? Don't just know.These players of ours are naturally skillfull and needs nothing but only little brushing which could be done by our own local coaches.Did Joe Sambou,Star Janneh or Abede PE Abede Pele go to any Fooball Academy,no of course.What we still fail to realize is that, the top coaches in Europe don't go to Africa.It is those that can't find good jobs over here are the ones sent to us. We have the potentials, why not utilize it.Yus did mentioned Yeo Marshall of Cote d'ivore as a typical example.This country had spent millions of CFA on foreign coaches over a lengthy period of time,but couldn't win any major african trophy.With Yeo,they lifted the Cup of Nations trophy in Senegal for the first time.And take it from me,there many Yeos in the continent who could do the same if no more.Let's assess a man like Mawade Wade of senegal.Here is one person who can even lead the English Squad. He has been in football for over 35 years and knows it to his finger tips. I have been fortunate to share table with him in many international forums,but when he talks you would realize that he knows what he is talking off.But look at what is happening in his counrty.They've gone in for a German coach. The other problem area is the attitude of our own players.As Joe rightly mentioned, our players tends to pay more aligiance to Europeans Coaches than their own.This is really sad. I think the only way forward is to give the necessary support to our locals and this is only when we can gain something. Adou Sey ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------