The FIFA Coca-Cola delegation responsible for touring the African continent with the world cup yesterday paid a courtesy call on the President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh at State House. The delegation headed by Mr. Emmanuel Mardaras, FIFA Media representative was accompanied to State House by the Local Organizing Committee and representatives from the private sector. The cup that weighs 6.175 kg and is 18 Karat gold was presented to the President by the head of the delegation as a show of solidarity in recognition of the Gambian leader's efforts in the football arena. The cup should have been shown in a close door session but due to the love the President have for his nation and his people, he appealed to FIFA for the general Gambian populace to have access in seeing the cup live for the first time.

Receiving the cup, the President Sheikh professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh thanked the FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter for allowing this to come to The Gambia especially displaying it out door at the Independence Stadium which is not in line with the rules of FIFA. The Gambian leader also commended Cocoa-Cola for a wonderful job, noting that they have done a lot to humanity in sponsoring world cup live coverage's. "It is not only football that Cocoa-Cola is supporting. They are always helping to give support to other areas, even the less privilege members of humanity".

President Jammeh assured FIFA that one day the cup will be won by The Gambia noting that the commitment of the young ones is a sign and clear manifestation of glory. He recalled back in the 1980's when parents gave less interest in the game of football and discouraged their children not to follow the game, but today, he said every Gambian knows that it's important and as profitable as earning a university degree. The Gambian leader gave an example of the African international player who earns lot of money through the game and they help not only their family but other less fortunate ones.

The President revealed that his dream is to bring the World Cup to The Gambia in 2014, "by the grace of the Almighty and with the motivation of the under-17 team, we look forward to winning the cup," he emphasized.

For her part, the Vice President and Minister of Women's Affairs, Madam Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy underscored the important gesture FIFA is doing in supporting countries both in terms of infrastructure and finance. She noted that the World Cup Tournament which will be hosted in South Africa in June 2010 will be the most successful as far as the African continent is concern. VP Njie-Saidy thanked the President for his unflinching support and the role he played in the footballing arena in boosting the morals of the youth.

Speaking earlier, the FIFA Media Representative, Mr. Emmuel Madaras, and Mr. Bashir Zeroual, African Team Tour Manager both thanked the President for allowing the cup in The Gambia. They reiterated that the objective of bringing the World Cup in the African continent by FIFA and Coca-Cola is to bring together all African nations under one umbrella, one passion and that is football unity. They commended the Gambian leader for raising Gambian football to a higher level.

They relayed a message from the FIFA President, Mr. Joseph S. Blatter informing The Gambian Head of State that he has done a great job in the FIFA community in which Gambia is one of the two hundred and eight members of its Assembly which is defending the codes of FIFA.

By Alhagie Ceesay