The Wrestling Federation of The Gambia recentling slam Pa Abdou Jah alias Tass Sa Yaram of Club Serrekunda Mbolo, a D15, 00 fine following an assault to one of their official in a wrestling bout organized by Baah Yai Promotion held at the Garba Jahumpa Upper Basic School in Banjul 16th April, 2014.
The Secretary General of the Federation Mr Habbou Nyassi said, the Wrestling Investigation Unit after hearing the claims by the Banjul Wrestling Committee regarding the said wrestling unching the referee after an exchange of words between them. Tass Sa Yaram said to them that, You ferees know nothing in which one of the referess responded by saying you big wrestlers knew nothing, those responds anger Tass Sa Yaram and he eventually punch him ( Alhagie Chorr).
He continued, “Having due consultation at the executive level, your wrestler Tass has been fined the sum of ten thousand dalasi (D10, 000) for the punch he did to the referee which will be paid on his coming combats. A deduction of five thousand dalasi (D5000) will be made on any of the combats he has and this will serve as a warning to other wrestlers who might want to emulate him.
TASS SA YARAM REPLIES TO THE FEDERATION
Replying to the Federation in a letter he wrote with the letterhead of Serekunda Mbollow Wrestling Club (that represents Jah) and copied to Observer Sports desk, Tass disputed the findings of the GWF. According to him, it was the referee who first provoked the altercation, having argued a decision against a member of his club, but that never did he physically attack him.
“It happened on the 16th March 2014 when we were invited to partake in a wrestling competition in Banjul, my club Serekunda Mbollow I mean. I was not wrestling but I went together with those invited in my club to wrestle. When our club disagreed with the said refereeing decision, our contestant was denied victory by the referee.
I came in to alert the referee by showing him a video which I recorded during the contest, [but] he refused to watch and pushed me out with an insult. We were arguing when some people halted both of us; it all happened in front of my club members and other clubs and journalists were also present. The matter was left like that.”
But writing further, the beleagued wresler added that he was surprised on the 6th May 2014 when he saw his name and photo on the newspaper (Daily Observer) with the story that he punched a referee which according to him was not true.
“In chapter XII Article 53, 54, of the [Gambia Wrestling Federation constitution], the committee has the right to call me to investigate further until when there is enough evidence of the said crime then they have the right to publish me in the paper, and I swear I can lay my hands on the Holy Qur’an that I didn’t punch the referee,” he went on stressed.
The Federation though has insisted that the decision was made after a successful investigation by the Wrestling Investigation Unit (WIU) of the GWF together with the referee’s report and that of the Banjul Wrestling Committee, when it became clear to the “entire executive” that Tass-Sa-Yaram indeed assaulted the official in question, Alhagie Chorr.
Tass-Sa-Yaram added that he is a “loyal Gambian citizen” who loves the sport, and wants to raise his country’s flag to higher heights, which according to him is the reason he will always undress half-naked to wrestle. He urged the Federation to judge him that way as well as to encourage and support him for the sport to grow to higher heights.
My appeal is late, because I was published already and that’s the time I was issued my accusation letter - on the 9th May 2014 - telling me to pay a D10,000 fine. As a law abiding citizen, I don't wish to disturb anybody’s peace as we are [supposed to be] pace setters. I was wrongfully accused of the said crime; my opponent club can testify, and journalists can testify too. [I know that] the referees and wrestlers are here to promote the sport which is equally in line with peace, love and unity,” he added.
He concluded by thanking the Federation for giving him the chance to go through his appeal process while promising that such a scenario [to argue with an official] will never repeat again. “Once more let me thank you for reading my appeal letter. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
The Secretary General of the Federation Mr Habbou Nyassi said, the Wrestling Investigation Unit after hearing the claims by the Banjul Wrestling Committee regarding the said wrestling unching the referee after an exchange of words between them. Tass Sa Yaram said to them that, You ferees know nothing in which one of the referess responded by saying you big wrestlers knew nothing, those responds anger Tass Sa Yaram and he eventually punch him ( Alhagie Chorr).
He continued, “Having due consultation at the executive level, your wrestler Tass has been fined the sum of ten thousand dalasi (D10, 000) for the punch he did to the referee which will be paid on his coming combats. A deduction of five thousand dalasi (D5000) will be made on any of the combats he has and this will serve as a warning to other wrestlers who might want to emulate him.
TASS SA YARAM REPLIES TO THE FEDERATION
Replying to the Federation in a letter he wrote with the letterhead of Serekunda Mbollow Wrestling Club (that represents Jah) and copied to Observer Sports desk, Tass disputed the findings of the GWF. According to him, it was the referee who first provoked the altercation, having argued a decision against a member of his club, but that never did he physically attack him.
“It happened on the 16th March 2014 when we were invited to partake in a wrestling competition in Banjul, my club Serekunda Mbollow I mean. I was not wrestling but I went together with those invited in my club to wrestle. When our club disagreed with the said refereeing decision, our contestant was denied victory by the referee.
I came in to alert the referee by showing him a video which I recorded during the contest, [but] he refused to watch and pushed me out with an insult. We were arguing when some people halted both of us; it all happened in front of my club members and other clubs and journalists were also present. The matter was left like that.”
But writing further, the beleagued wresler added that he was surprised on the 6th May 2014 when he saw his name and photo on the newspaper (Daily Observer) with the story that he punched a referee which according to him was not true.
“In chapter XII Article 53, 54, of the [Gambia Wrestling Federation constitution], the committee has the right to call me to investigate further until when there is enough evidence of the said crime then they have the right to publish me in the paper, and I swear I can lay my hands on the Holy Qur’an that I didn’t punch the referee,” he went on stressed.
The Federation though has insisted that the decision was made after a successful investigation by the Wrestling Investigation Unit (WIU) of the GWF together with the referee’s report and that of the Banjul Wrestling Committee, when it became clear to the “entire executive” that Tass-Sa-Yaram indeed assaulted the official in question, Alhagie Chorr.
Tass-Sa-Yaram added that he is a “loyal Gambian citizen” who loves the sport, and wants to raise his country’s flag to higher heights, which according to him is the reason he will always undress half-naked to wrestle. He urged the Federation to judge him that way as well as to encourage and support him for the sport to grow to higher heights.
My appeal is late, because I was published already and that’s the time I was issued my accusation letter - on the 9th May 2014 - telling me to pay a D10,000 fine. As a law abiding citizen, I don't wish to disturb anybody’s peace as we are [supposed to be] pace setters. I was wrongfully accused of the said crime; my opponent club can testify, and journalists can testify too. [I know that] the referees and wrestlers are here to promote the sport which is equally in line with peace, love and unity,” he added.
He concluded by thanking the Federation for giving him the chance to go through his appeal process while promising that such a scenario [to argue with an official] will never repeat again. “Once more let me thank you for reading my appeal letter. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.