The President Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday met with members of the National Football Veteran Association. During the meeting the association presented to the Gambian leader two trophies they won during their encounter with their Senegalese counterparts in Dakar and Thies last year. They further presented a football and T-shirt bearing the signature of its members, and a certificate of acknowledgement to the President in recognition of his outstanding support and contribution to football. They further expressed their desire to have President Jammeh as their Chief Patron.

The President of the Association Amadou Touray explained that the objectives of the National Football Veteran Association include promoting and developing football in The Gambia, and to complement government's efforts in this sector.

The Administrative Adviser of the Association Charles Thomas Known as Joe Tennis said it is their wish to revive Gambian football which was a force to be reckoned with during the 60's. He mentioned plans to organize a sub-regional football competition as part of activities marking the July 22nd Revolution. Mr Thomas who is one of the key founding fathers of the Association said they are also concerned with the promotion of regional integration.

In response President Jammeh said he is grateful to the football veterans for complementing his efforts, noting that his dream is to see that The Gambia become the first African nation to win the World Cup. The Gambian leader re-echoed calls for attitudinal change towards football. He asserted that supporting footballers as well as cheering them up have a psychological impact on players. He presented a cash of 217,000 dalasis to the Association.

The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports Sheriff Gomez spoke of his Department's plans to achieve excellence in sports, noting that all stakeholders would be involved.