Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BANJUL109
2009-04-16 12:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:
PRESIDENT JAMMEH DISBURSES OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO
how-toR 161227Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8607 INFO AMEMBASSY ALGIERS ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BANJUL 000109
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON GA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT JAMMEH DISBURSES OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO
JUNIOR SOCCER TEAM
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS BANJUL 000109
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON GA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT JAMMEH DISBURSES OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO
JUNIOR SOCCER TEAM
SUMMARY
--------------
1. On April 6, 2009, President Yahya Jammeh disbursed a total of
over a million dollars to the players and officials of The Gambia's
Under 17 soccer team for winning the African championship. While
Gambians are united in their joy for the country's first victory in
a continental tournament, many are questioning the propriety of this
award. END SUMMARY
A HERO'S WELCOME
--------------
2. On hearing of the team's victory in the finals played in Algeria
on April 2, President Jammeh immediately declared a public holiday
to mark the country's first victory in a continental tournament.
The money was handed over to the players and officials in cash by
the President himself at a ceremony at State House which lasted
several hours. The 18 players, the coach and six team officials who
each received one million dalasi, were handed a suitcase full of new
bank notes. The cash award came a day after the players returned to
a hero's welcome. Tens of thousands of people lined the
20-kilometer route from the airport to July 22 Square in Banjul
where they were received by President Jammeh and members of his
cabinet at a massive welcome rally. Unfortunately, one youth was
killed by a car during the celebration, adding a touch of tragedy to
a joyful occasion.
COMMENT
--------------
While Gambians are justifiably delighted with the success of Under
17 team, some were stunned by President Jammeh's lavish cash award
(in a country where the GNP per capita is still well south of
$1000). Certainly there are many other needs that could have been
addressed with that money. It is also not certain to us, exactly
what legal authority the President has to unilaterally make such an
award. In the end, though, the controversy is likely to be
short-lived and forgotten long before the tournament win is in this
soccer-mad country. It does lead one to wonder what would ever
happen if the senior team were to achieve similar success. END
COMMENT
WELLS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON GA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT JAMMEH DISBURSES OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO
JUNIOR SOCCER TEAM
SUMMARY
--------------
1. On April 6, 2009, President Yahya Jammeh disbursed a total of
over a million dollars to the players and officials of The Gambia's
Under 17 soccer team for winning the African championship. While
Gambians are united in their joy for the country's first victory in
a continental tournament, many are questioning the propriety of this
award. END SUMMARY
A HERO'S WELCOME
--------------
2. On hearing of the team's victory in the finals played in Algeria
on April 2, President Jammeh immediately declared a public holiday
to mark the country's first victory in a continental tournament.
The money was handed over to the players and officials in cash by
the President himself at a ceremony at State House which lasted
several hours. The 18 players, the coach and six team officials who
each received one million dalasi, were handed a suitcase full of new
bank notes. The cash award came a day after the players returned to
a hero's welcome. Tens of thousands of people lined the
20-kilometer route from the airport to July 22 Square in Banjul
where they were received by President Jammeh and members of his
cabinet at a massive welcome rally. Unfortunately, one youth was
killed by a car during the celebration, adding a touch of tragedy to
a joyful occasion.
COMMENT
--------------
While Gambians are justifiably delighted with the success of Under
17 team, some were stunned by President Jammeh's lavish cash award
(in a country where the GNP per capita is still well south of
$1000). Certainly there are many other needs that could have been
addressed with that money. It is also not certain to us, exactly
what legal authority the President has to unilaterally make such an
award. In the end, though, the controversy is likely to be
short-lived and forgotten long before the tournament win is in this
soccer-mad country. It does lead one to wonder what would ever
happen if the senior team were to achieve similar success. END
COMMENT
WELLS