The event is part of two jointly organized programs by the Gambia sports press and mission 89, a global sport anti-trafficking group based in Switzerland. Mission 89’s statement also underlined the overall positive impact relating to consolidating efforts in respecting rights, citing achieving a number of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, and benefitting from the European Union Work Plan for sports 2021 – 2024.
The round table discussion with Gambian stakeholders involved the immigration department, football authorities, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NATIP, among others involved in the fight against illegal migration.
Musa Sise, the president of the Gambia sports Journalists Association, said the issue has not been reported to the authorities but it is happening with so-called agents coming to take our young players abroad and end up exploiting them.
Alagie Jarju, executive Director of the national youth council said government, through the ministry of youth and sports, pays special attention to topic under discussion because matters relating to the youth of the country are their responsibility.
Baboucarr Camara the communications Director at the Gambia Football Federation said sports trafficking in Gambian football is not a huge problem because they have not received a complaint as yet but, is a cause for concern and echoed the concern about so-called agents flying to the country, making false promises to the players.
Tulai Jawara is the Executive Director of the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons NATIP in qualifying what the GFF communication officer said gave details of the most common types of trafficking in the country.
Foday Gassama, commissioner for migration at the Gambia Immigration Department said they are yet to criminalize the smuggling of migrants but they are working with partners on a draft bill.
At the end of the round table discussion with stakeholders, it was concluded that, trafficking in sports if happening in the country, has not been reported yet but it was widely accepted that some young football prospects are trafficked by smugglers via boats to Europe with some making it to professional levels while some perish on the high seas.
BY: Baboucarr Sey