Banjul — After a ten-day break for the holy feast of Tobaski, The Gambia Football Association (GFA) self-sponsored First Division League would resume on Wednesday, January 26th 2005 at Serrekunda West mini-stadium.

All the teams will be on action except Wallidan and Armed Forces who have already played their first three matches.

In the opener on Wednesday, Bakau United will take on the newly promoted team from the Second Division, Kaira Silo of New Jeshwang at the Serrekunda West mini-stadium.

Bakau United, who drew their first two games both 1 - 1 against Armed Forces and Real de Banjul, will be looking for their first three points.

But Kaira Silo FC, who came in the First Division with the ambition of staying in the top league, has shown some good signs by winning their first game against Gamtel F.C and loosing honourably to Steve Biko 2 - 1 in their second game.

On Friday, Gambia Ports Authority F.C will line up against Gamtel F.C at the Serrekunda West mini-stadium. GPA, who lost their first game to Sait Matty 1 - 0 and drew their second against Wallidan, will not have an easy task against Gamtel.

The telecommunication boys, under coach Alhagie Sillah have already proved themselves by beating Sait Matty 2 - 1 in their second game following their first game defeat against Kaira Silo. They are ready to create the big surprise of the season.

On Saturday at the Serrekunda East mini-stadium, Hawks have a big game against Sait Matty. Both teams have collected three points in two games. Hawks, after loosing to Real de Banjul in their first game, 2 - 0. They created the big surprise of Week Two by beating Armed Forces 1 - 0. While Sait Matty, after an impressive opener against GPA 1 - 0, they were humiliated by Gamtel 2 - 1 in their second game.

The last game of Week Three at the Serrekunda West mini-stadium, the Bakau giant, Steve Biko will take on Real de Banjul. The game is described by many as match of the week considering that both teams have the same number of points. Biko F.C has acquired 4 points in two games, they drew Wallidan 1 - 1 and beat Kaira Silo 2 - 1 while Real de Banjul also beat Hawks 2 - 0 and drew Bakau United 1-1. Any of them can come out victorious of the game.

Inter-Schools Competitions Rescheduled

The annual inter-schools athletics competitions organised by The Gambia Secondary School Sports Committee (GSSSC) have been rescheduled due to the closure of the Independence Stadium.

According to Mr. Alieu Jeng, an official of GSSSC, they have decided to reschedule the championship of the Greater Banjul Area for the 20th to the 22nd May 2005. He, however, added that the championship for provincial schools will be held on the 5th of February as initially planned.

Mr. Jeng indicated that for the inter-houses competitions of the different schools, they will be using Serrekunda West mini-stadium, which has tracks and field facilities. Mr. Jeng continued that some schools have already held their inter-houses competitions in Serrekunda West like Saint Therese's, Bakau Junior and Ndow's Comprehensive and that other schools have also booked for the mini-stadium.

Meanwhile, in another development, Trust Bank Gambia Limited has agreed to sponsor four disciplines namely Athletics, Basketball, Volleyball and Football in the Senior Secondary Schools.

According to Mr. Jeng, the Bank management has decided to do the official launching of the sponsorship on February 10th, 2005.

Jaysuma May Change Nationality

The Gambia's must promising athlete, Jaysuma Saidy-Ndure may opt to take the Norwegian nationality if the sporting authority in The Gambia does not give him the necessary financial help he needs.

Speaking to Sports File on West Coast Radio last Monday, Jaysuma Saidy-Ndure openly declared that he might change his nationality from Gambian to Norwegian if the athletic authority does not give him the financial assistance he needs to continue with his career.

Jaysuma was responding to Sports File presenter, Peter Gomez's question if he would one day change his mind to take the Norwegian nationality.

It could be recalled that Jaysuma Saidy performance attracted the Norwegian Athletic Association before the summer Olympic games in Greece and tried to convince him to take the Norwegian nationality.

Jaysuma travelled with the Norwegian team from Norway to Greece and camped with them some times before joining the Gambian delegation. He reached the quarterfinals of the Olympic games.

Sports Fraternity To Help Tsunami Victims

Sporting associations, clubs and individuals around the world have pledged to help the tsunami victims by donating cash and rebuilding infrastructures for the victims.

Manchester United first team squad has given 100,000 pounds adding to the collective one million pounds donated from all the 20 premier league clubs.

Charlton Athletics decided to double their contribution of 100 000 pounds and the Manchester City squad agreed to donated a 'substantial sum'.

Plymouth, Wolves and Derby who play in the country's second tier, have also made their own donations.

The German national federation and league have made 1.5 million euros (one million pounds) available in immediate aid and intend to add that through a benefit match between Germany and a selection of foreigners playing in the Bundeslega. League leaders Bayern Munich have donated 300,000 euros (200,000 pounds) to start a project in Sri Lanka sponsoring either an orphanage, a children's shelter or a school.

India's football authority, the AIFF is set to donate 1.5 million Rupees (18,000 pounds) but has also asked football's world governing body FIFA to help in setting up a charity match.

Athletics' governing body (IAAF) has pledged to rebuild Sri Lanka schools devastated by the tsunami disaster. The Sri Lankan federation suggested the project to IAAF President Lamine Diack as a way for sports to make a direct contribution to the victims. The IAAF will help to reconstruct a two-storey school as a way of contributing to the resumption of normal life.

Seven American basketball players have pledged to donate $1,000 (531 pounds) for every point they score during their games on Thursday.

The players include Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal and Jalen Rose.

In China, a committee organising the 2008 Olympic games set up donation sites throughout Beijing, collecting 1,500 pounds in 30 minutes.

German tennis player Nicolas Kiefer will donate $100 for every ace he serves in his next three tournaments while planning an exhibition match with top Thai player Paradorn Srichaphan in the badly affected Thai resort of Phuket.

Competitors at the Chennai open tennis tournament in Madras, capital of the tsunami-State of Tamil Nadu, will donate their earnings from the event.

Organisers of the Women's exhibition tournament in Hong Kong pledged 34,000 pounds from ticket sales.

Maria Sharapova also made a personal donation of 5,200 pounds to Thailand's Prime Minister when she was in Bangkok for an exhibition match.

England's cricketers have given 15,000 pounds to the appeal while their fans are hoping to raise a further 20,000 pounds and the professional cricketers' association has pledged 5,000 pounds.

The first of two one-day internationals to raise money will take place in Melbourne on Monday between an ICC World XI, including England's Darren Gough and an Asian XI.T he game is expected to be a sell-out and will be televised around the world.

Rugby league clubs Leigh Centurions and Whitehaven will donate one pound each for every person attending their pre-season friendly on January 23rd.

World swimming champion, James Gibson was among 70 swimmers from Loughborough University raising money through a 100-km charity swim on January 13th.

Horseracing: The industry hopes to raise one million pounds in the first six months of 2005 with its "Racing To Help" appeal. Cheltenham racecourse donated over 9,000 pounds. One pound was given for each playing customer who attended the racing on New Year's Day.