The U-17 Scorpion team on Sunday paid a courtesy call to His Excellency the President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh to bid farewell to him. The gallant boys who have just completed a three-week training camp in the United Kingdom are preparing for the Under-17 World Cup tournament in Nigeria.

During the ceremony, President Jammeh told them that they might have heard about the World Cup Trophy which was brought to his office during their spell in UK. He told the gathering that by the grace of Allah, they want to win the world cup in 2014. President Jammeh urged the U-17 team to bring the junior category World Cup in Gambia, which will show the whole world that Gambia will win the Senior World cup trophy in 2014. He assured them that there is nothing impossible if they believe in Allah but quick to say that Allah will not help you if you don’t help yourself.

He advice them not to take the tournament very slightly because everyone is saying The Gambia is the Champion of Africa. President Jammeh further went on to advice them not take chances for granted because every team in the tournament are preparing for them.
The Gambian leader urged the U-17 Team to win the cup and not to play beautiful football to entertain spectators.
He also advised them to desist from individual play and play as a team. "Do what is in the best interest of the country, get one objective that is go and bring the cup in the Gambia" he emphasizes.
He informed them that all the Gambian people are behind them and will do their best to pray for them.

Speaking earlier, the Minister for Local Government and Lands noted that the U-17 Team is in the minds of the Gambian people. He informed them that they have been given moral and spiritual support that is required and also physical preparedness.

By Alhagie Ceesay