In the fifth consecutive edition, the Sports Journalists Associations (The Gambia – SJAG) organized the nomination ceremony for the best athletes of the 2013 season on the night of November 29, 2013. The event took place at the Ocean Bay hotel in Banjul, where wrestler Bakary Jarju was honored as the Gambian Sportsman of the Year. This recognition comes as a tribute to the young wrestler, in his twenties, who showcased remarkable performances, including a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Jarju’s achievements also include a silver medal obtained a few months prior in Dakar during the ECOWAS tournament, where Gambia was an invited participant.
Among the other notable awardees was international football referee Papa Camara, increasingly recognized among the best African referees. The title of the best local team of the year went to the Gamtel/Gamcel FC association, reaching the semi-finals of the Caf Cup. Abdoulie Bojang of the Steve Biko club earned the title of the best coach of the year, while the sporting personality of the season was awarded to Omar Sey, the administrator of the Gambian football federation.
Africel received recognition as the best structure supporting the development of sports throughout the year. Ida Nyang was honored as the Paralympic athlete of the year, and Abdoulaye Faty received the title of the best photo reporter of the season.
The ceremony was presided over by Gambian Interior Minister Ousmane Sonko, representing Yaya Jammeh and his government.
