African junior champions, Gambia have been rewarded with a huge cash gift of one million dalasis, about $40,000-a-player by His Excellency Professor Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh at a ceremony held at the State House grounds.

Each player of Gambia's team, who won the 2009 African Junior Championship in Algeria , received a million dalasis from President Yahya Jammeh.

The Gambian leader made the pledge on Saturday at the victory celebrations organized for the team which emerged African champions after they beat hosts, Algeria 2-1 in the finals.

18 players, the coach and seven team officials each received one million dalasi. Six other players, who traveled with the team but were not of the official list each received D500,000,00, whilst the protocol officer and security officer who accompanied the team got D150,000,00 each. Two advance party members got 50,000,00 and four sports journalists also received D30,000,00.

In his remarks at the presentation ceremony, President Jammeh said his wish is for every Gambian and humanity in general to live comfortably in peace, independently. He underscored the importance of football and as such, said he will give the game his maximum attention. “it is the highest paid job in the world and that youths of this country should be encouraged to develop the love of football and sports in general” President Jammeh informed the gathering.

“It is my responsibility to create employment opportunities for every Gambian and so where my government cannot provide employment for all, then we create then conducive environment for people to be employed by others or be self employed” , he added.

Advising the young lads, the president urged them to always remember the supremacy of Allah and respect their parents especially their mothers.

Jammeh further called on Gambians to go out and support the boys wherever they play because it motivates and encourage them to put on more efforts. It does not occur well if any sporting games is played and no support is shown so we should support them always.

President Jammeh finally thanked the Darling U- 17 Scorpions for an indomitable spirit, perseverance and patriotism and urged them to continue playing to bring the trophy to the Gambia from the World Cup.

“We want the World Cup this year and we must have it. By the grace of Allah we will bring the junior world cup to the country,” he said.

The Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, Honorable Sherriff Gomez expressed appreciation for the advice and encouragement given to the boys. He said the president's advice to the boys paid dividends in their performance and this led to their glorious achievement by winning the tournament.

SOS Gomez thanked the President for his support to the boys by showing his commitment which, he said has improved sports in general. Sports he continued is a business, a social cooperative partnership which, whatever you invest in it today, you get the reward in the future.

Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, the first Vice President of the Gambian Football Association described the under 17 as heroes and urged everyone to support in the cause of nation development.

Omar Colley, the assistant Captain, on behalf of the team said they are very proud of the president's support and encouragement to the team.

He thanked their parents and all those who gave them support in one way or the other until they reached this stage.

As a token of appreciation, the team presented a football, a frame picture of the under -17 team, a Number 19 Jersey of the darling U-17 and an artistic frame to the President.

It could be recalled that The Gambia first won the African U-17 youth championship in 2005, when the tournament was hosted here.