In an effort to re-brand itself and provide stronger identity for its members throughout the country, delegates at the 2014 Sports Journalists Association of the Gambia (SJAG) General Assembly on Saturday endorsed changes to the 1997 constitution.
That vote came after agreement to alter the statutes surrounding membership and subscriptions, voting, affiliation and finance in a general meeting held in February. Sports journalists from seventeen media houses in the Gambia, as well as freelancers and photographers were present at the Gambia Press Union secretariat in Fajara.
“This important meeting is a rare occasion which is set to scrutinize and adopt what I would call the second constitution of the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia. The constitution will serve as our working document for the years to come. So, it’s vital we came here as a unified group and made clear and sound decisions in this forum,” association president, Sainabou Kujabi-Njie earlier told delegates.
Lamin Cham, the founding father of the association who had tirelessly clamored for such a convergence was delighted with the decisions made during the congress. “Unity and purposefulness is the way forward for this association and from today, I am very optimistic about the future”.
Namory Trawally, member of the constitutional review committee was visibly happy about his studied idea going directly to a vote for acceptance by the session. Earlier in his presentation, he reminded delegates what necessitated the review saying it’s in the “best interest of our profession”.
From all the discussions and deliberations, the general consensus at the assembly was clear. The Gambian Sports media from now on will unite, to firmly establish ourselves in working to enhance professionalism and promoting sporting excellence in the country. The delegates agreed that sports journalism in the Gambia must therefore, be repositioned in efforts to transform Gambia’s sports development. It was also agreed that a “Unity Family Fun Day Out” will be organised for all Sports journalists in the country before the start of Ramadan.
The 2014 General Assembly finally approved that from henceforth, all members of the SJAG must be affiliated or belong to at least one media organisation, either as a freelance or full time staff member, with proven record of previous work in any media as a sports journalist or photographer, and all applicants shall be required to obtain a letter of recommendation from the head of his/her media establishment before an application of membership will be considered.
It is also agreed that each member must pay a subscription fee of D500 to re-register by completing a registration form, the deadline for which is the 13th of July 2014. Members shall also pay a monthly contribution fee, the amount of which will be determined by the next Executive Committee, but failure to pay your monthly contribution within a grace period of 6 months will see your membership cease.
Each media house in the Gambia, with a sports department is allocated one vote at elective congresses, at which they could be represented by at least three delegates who must be up to date with their subscription payment.
The SJAG will also appoint external auditors for the accounts to meet modern management standards, thus, the position and functions of the auditor in the old constitution is removed. Also, all specialised sports journalists’ movements in the country shall operate as a committee under the SJAG and shall report to the association.
The Executive Committee will now serve for a period of four years (full term) starting from the date that they were voted into office and four persons from amongst the members of the association shall be nominated by the General Body to serve in the Executive Committee as Co-opted members, but no member is eligible to vote or be voted for in absentia.
Report prepared by Abdoulie Bah, SG-SJAG
That vote came after agreement to alter the statutes surrounding membership and subscriptions, voting, affiliation and finance in a general meeting held in February. Sports journalists from seventeen media houses in the Gambia, as well as freelancers and photographers were present at the Gambia Press Union secretariat in Fajara.
“This important meeting is a rare occasion which is set to scrutinize and adopt what I would call the second constitution of the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia. The constitution will serve as our working document for the years to come. So, it’s vital we came here as a unified group and made clear and sound decisions in this forum,” association president, Sainabou Kujabi-Njie earlier told delegates.
Lamin Cham, the founding father of the association who had tirelessly clamored for such a convergence was delighted with the decisions made during the congress. “Unity and purposefulness is the way forward for this association and from today, I am very optimistic about the future”.
Namory Trawally, member of the constitutional review committee was visibly happy about his studied idea going directly to a vote for acceptance by the session. Earlier in his presentation, he reminded delegates what necessitated the review saying it’s in the “best interest of our profession”.
From all the discussions and deliberations, the general consensus at the assembly was clear. The Gambian Sports media from now on will unite, to firmly establish ourselves in working to enhance professionalism and promoting sporting excellence in the country. The delegates agreed that sports journalism in the Gambia must therefore, be repositioned in efforts to transform Gambia’s sports development. It was also agreed that a “Unity Family Fun Day Out” will be organised for all Sports journalists in the country before the start of Ramadan.
The 2014 General Assembly finally approved that from henceforth, all members of the SJAG must be affiliated or belong to at least one media organisation, either as a freelance or full time staff member, with proven record of previous work in any media as a sports journalist or photographer, and all applicants shall be required to obtain a letter of recommendation from the head of his/her media establishment before an application of membership will be considered.
It is also agreed that each member must pay a subscription fee of D500 to re-register by completing a registration form, the deadline for which is the 13th of July 2014. Members shall also pay a monthly contribution fee, the amount of which will be determined by the next Executive Committee, but failure to pay your monthly contribution within a grace period of 6 months will see your membership cease.
Each media house in the Gambia, with a sports department is allocated one vote at elective congresses, at which they could be represented by at least three delegates who must be up to date with their subscription payment.
The SJAG will also appoint external auditors for the accounts to meet modern management standards, thus, the position and functions of the auditor in the old constitution is removed. Also, all specialised sports journalists’ movements in the country shall operate as a committee under the SJAG and shall report to the association.
The Executive Committee will now serve for a period of four years (full term) starting from the date that they were voted into office and four persons from amongst the members of the association shall be nominated by the General Body to serve in the Executive Committee as Co-opted members, but no member is eligible to vote or be voted for in absentia.
Report prepared by Abdoulie Bah, SG-SJAG