Tamba takes over GNOC reins

Major General Lang Tombong Tamba has been confirmed as President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee at the organisation's General Assembly meeting on Saturday.

The Army General was confirmed at the Olympic house after the outgoing President Alhagie Abou Dandeh Njie finally stepped down after more than twenty years in charge.

Major General Tamba gave a lengthy acceptance speech at the gathering which we reproduce below:

I am proud to stand before this distinguished gathering today as the newly inaugurated president of the Gambia national Olympic committee, one of the most important sports committee. This is a unique and momentous occasion in the history of sports in our country, as it is the first time that GNOC presidency is handing over three decades ago. Apart from this, I am also indeed very delighted to be here on the occasion of the special session of the former president Mr. Alhagie AB Dandeh Njie and the entire committee who have served this body with humility and dignity.

Let me state here that I am here not to make statements or create a forum for a debate about the successes or failures of the GNOC, because I have not yet engaged the body where I would narrate the achievements or failures. In fact my statements should be regarded as a form of taking over note. Mr. Chairman, apart from the inauguration, I am also here to express my commitment as the incoming president and desire to work towards developing sports In the Gambia as my priority and to also say a big thank you to the people that by virtue of confidence and trust elected me to this position. As I am inaugurated today, I pledge to serve the people of the Gambia with humility, dignity and a steadfast resolve to accelerate and improve sports and ensure a better and brighter future for all our people particularly, the youths who are the most active in sports and the epicenter of our nation.

As the saying goes “a goat that wants to grow horns must first grow a strong head”. Consequently, and going by this wisdom, I would first and foremost look at best designed ways that would meet the realities of sports in our country, so that the GNOC will become a symbol of hope for the hopeless. Mr. Chairman this will require the collaboration and cooperation all Gambians and at all times.

In this spirit I will commit myself to relentlessly resolve problem if any existed, strengthen achievements and encourage a sense of belonging and ownership among all people within and affiliated to the GNOC, even if it is worth taking difficult decisions. This is what is required of us as an institution to progress and I have no doubt that this will happen. I feel there also a need for me to pursue the sense of collectivity against individualism.

Many a times, we hear or see teams with great players and those teams never win titles. Most of the times those great players are not willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the team and in the end , their unwillingness to do so makes individual goals more difficult to achieve. My priority Mr. Chairman in this regards would be to strengthen cooperation within the body so that our individual efforts are combined to produce a stronger, effective, reliable and active GNOC.

I am quite certain that with the caliber of people around me, whose efficiency I do not doubt, the body will remain consistent and perfect. As the first vice president of the Gambia football association, I would use my gained experience Mr. chairman as well as explore new ones that will produce a GNOC that would be a beacon of hope for the nation. I will continue from my predecessor, to motivate my staff and encourage a bottom approach in the running of issues relating to the advancement of the body. This would provide the opportunity for every member of the committee to not only have a say, but to have an influence over and be part of decision making process. I personally believe that considerable thought should be given to the closest cooperation with my office so that we can work together with other sports stakeholders to assist and keep the excitement of our national sports.

I know and I am convinced that every institution including GNOC will along its growth be confronted with set backs. But my priority would be to research and explore not only the best ways but the very appropriate ways for the general assembly to grow to the expectation of the nation. I will also encourage and help inculcate the spirit and principles of Olympic charter, where the GNOC will operate under an atmosphere of fairness and equal competition that is void of discrimination in regard to gender, tribe or religion. My priority will also be on the actualization and strengthening of the following commission, women and sports commission, athletics commission, judicial commission and culture commission (code named Olympic academy).

I will work closely with the ministry of youth and sports through the national sports council to see that all national sporting association have a national character and take their right places in the international arena by not only mere participation but have the belief that this is possible only if training of the technical staff is given due attention.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, it is my conviction that with this all the staff and the institution will preserve its dignity and integrity. Let us all remember that people spoke and that was in the past, people are speaking and this is in the present, and people will speak and this will be in the future. Our actions and efforts would always be spoken about. Essentially therefore Mr. chairman, I will urge all to consider the election over and now as one united body for the good of our nation in general and GNOC in particular. I pray that God will continue to guide our actions, for the common good.

Distinguished delegate, ladies and gentlemen , allow me at this juncture to dedicate the rest of my statement to those that have in diverse ways contributed in electing me to this distinguished position. It is gratifying to see all of you here and I must sincerely thank you for having shelved your schedules for this occasion. Let me also thank all the sports associations and the Gambian people for the trust they have on me and for voting me to the office of presidency of the GNOC. I am committed to work hard to the best of my ability to maintained and improve where necessary, for the administrative and operational efficiency of the GNOC. This would be my mission task and would not consider this as a promise, because a promise always serves as an excuse for any potential failure. Mr. Chairman with whatever challenge, I will work towards building a GNOC where trust and mutual understanding will continue to connect and guide its people to live and enjoy the tranquility and peaceful environment for present and future generations.

In conclusion, I wish to say that despite the enormous challenges that we are faced with as a result of the global economic recession, I still hope that today, we are better than yesterday and that tomorrow shall be better than today. Indeed a new dawn has arrived and together we shall be better.

I pray that Allah protects and guides this executive and its staff to the right path. Bless all the association, bless our leadership, and bless the people of this great nation. I wish you all a safe journey to your respective homes.

Thanks you for your rapt attention