By Buba Gagigo
Football lovers demanded that the Sports Minister withdraws his comments on the D11.1 million government gave to players.
Following the senior national scorpions’ boycott of the president’s invitation to be handed over the said cheque at the Presidency, Bakary Badjie said the sum would be used to finance other government projects should the players refuse to accept the money.
His comment followed the players’ boycott of the invitation by President Barrow to receive the said cheque.
First, to react to the comment was Habib Faal.
“Personally I don’t think [it] is a good speech because these people have been sacrificing for the gesture for a long time. They made a noise, at times they felt was the right time to make noise. That statement from the Minister is not a good one,” said Faal.
Another football enthusiast Pa Ceesay asked the Minister to use a much more diplomatic approach than he did.
“I totally disagree with the Minister and I would like him to use a more diplomatic approach than the one he took before.
“I asked him to withdraw his statement and come with a better press conference,” said Pa Ceesay.
“Since the Minister said there are other places to put that money, let him go to GFF and collect it. I know for certain [that] the money is not going to the health [sector], nor education as he said.
For one Mr Yaffah, the comment by Badjie shattered the hopes of many.
“When Bakary was appointed many were happy and have hope that things will change for good but I think that is not happening and surprisingly for him to come out and give such a statement as the Minister,” said Mr Yaffah
“For me personally I am very disappointed with the Minister’s Statement because as a leader or as a minister this kind of statement should not come from him. He should be a unifier not add fuel to the fire. Everything has to be done by negotiation and without negotiation, nothing can be solved. I think the minister should withdraw this statement and apologize to the players and the football fans,” another football fan Soll Swiss said.