Ebrima Sillah: Since my team - Arsenal - is yet to have its own TV Channel, I had to watch the Manchester United TV Channel, and there, I heard about the news of Arthur Gomez, a Gambian soccer sensation, currently in England, having trials with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The same piece of news was also reported on Sky Sports.Com TV and, as a result, I decided to check the Sky Sports Web Page, and then found the news item below on the page. The article is reproduced further below, and perhaps you could use part of it for your radio news bulletin(s). And my warmest regards to Coach Alagie Sillah and do tell him to keep trying. Kennest Y. Best would say: "you never try, you never know!" Alagie Sillah, in my book, is a good coach and, if given the time and resources, he'll do a good job. Yus: The Amnesty International statement you forwarded to the L (which mentioned my departure from The Gambia) was issued, I believe, in December 1996, a few weeks after I left The Gambia for the UK. Also, just the other day, Musa Ceesay lent me a video tape of a documentary on The Gambia, shown on Swedish TV in 1995. The programme - "My Heart is in The Gambia" - was presented by Mrs Jainaba Bah-Jallow and myself, Sidia Jatta and Halifa Sallah were among those interviewed. And guest what? I was watching it at home with Pa Taal, who had lived in Sweden before moving to England, and he showed me Momodou Sidibeh of the L in the programme. I also saw Buharry Gassama in it, but because he was my classmate, I was able to recognise him. Gambia-L, sorry for boring you to death with my soccer postings. I hope to resume "My Messages To All Gambians" next Tuesday, by the grace of God. Regards, Ebrima ________________________________________________________________________ Fergie - Looking for fresh talent FERGIE TARGETS AFRICAN DUO By Adam Marshall Manchester United have been assessing the merits of African duo Sulley Muntari and Arthur Gomez, after both players had trials at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson is already gearing towards United's future role within the world game where the Premiership champions will use satellite clubs from around the globe to develop burgeoning talent, and avoid complications with the work permit regulations in England. The ultra-successful Scot is aware of the enormous untapped potential in Africa, Asia and South America and wants to ensure United will compete with the world's biggest clubs for the most promising talent. There is the prospect that Muntari and Gomez could head for Belgian side Royal Antwerp in order to learn their trade and reach the levels where they could expect to compete for a place in the Red Devils' first team squad. Muntari does not turn 17 until next week but he has impressed at left back and left midfield for the Ghanian under-20 side. The Liberty Professionals starlet impressed during a trial spell in Manchester last week, after flying to England with his agents. Gomez, 17, plays for Scorpions in Gambia.. He has the backing of under-20 coach Alhagie Sillah, who responded to the news of the teenager's trial: "He has the talent, and has shown everybody that he is good and can fit anywhere in the world. "That is a big plus for Gambian football because scouts will flock here to check our players. "I'm sure Arthur will not find it a problem to make it. The trials will not be a hurdle. It will be like drinking water for him. "We have to be careful as there are scouts who come here, say a lot of things and, when investigations are made, they are not scouts after all but out for their own ends." United were attracted to the two players during the African Youth championships in April, where Muntari was sensational in the semi-final win over Nigeria, scoring twice, one goal from an acrobatic scissors kick. Local reports indicate that the Ghanaian starlet could seal a £1 million move to England within the next week, but there may not be the need for Ferguson to splash out such a large sum at this stage, instead negotiating a move involving Antwerp. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------