Members of the Scorpions Fans Club are calling on Gambians to change their attitudes on how they support their national team.
The national mobilizer, Badou Jonga, assistant national mobilizer, Mbakeh Gassama and the media officer, Amie Kolleh Boye jointly urge Gambians to turn up in their national colours and support throughout the match come Sunday, September 6, 2015 when the Scorpions take on the indomitable lions of Cameroon.
Badou Jonga told Nna Gambia News that they wants Gambians to stop watching their national teams like spectators but watch and support as a fan.
He said that is why they are doing everything possible to mobilize as many supporters as possible to join the national Scorpion’s Fans Club which is the reason why they are embarking on a vigorous media campaign.
He said: “We started the campaign soon after we learnt of our opponents. We are trying to put together funds and lure in as many people as possible to join us in the support.
“We are aware of what we put on the players so we need as many voices as possible to support the boys.
“The results in South Africa proved to us that we now have a new breed of players who are willing to die for the country and we want to be with them all throughout.
“It is on this note we calling on everyone coming to watch this match, to come on their national colours. We want to make the stadium look red and this can only be done when Gambians appear in their red attire,” he said.
Mbakeh Gassama on his behalf appealed to the Gambians populace to desist from celebrating and supporting visiting teams to the expense of their own nation.
To Mbakeh, this is the most unpatriotic thing to do.
“How can a Gambian turn against his own national team?” Mbakeh questions.
He added: “I am always shocked when I see Gambians supporting the visiting team. We always make the Independence Stadium a safe haven for the visiting opponents instead of turning the place into a hell for them.
“At this moment, we should learn from the kind of information we receive when our national team travels.
“We are not asking anyone to insult or stone our opponents but if we don’t jeer them up and cheer up our boys, we will always achieve our objective.
“But normally we storm the stadium in support of the visiting team as was the case with Ivory Coast two years ago when Gambian fans were visible seen turning against their players and supporting Yaya Touray, Javinio and Kalou,” he said with utter frustration.
Amie Kolleh Boye on her part commended the media for the publicity they are doing for the Scorpions Fans Club. She also called on other radio stations or media houses that are yet to incorporate them in their schedules to help them in their campaign to raise awareness on the Gambia versus Cameroon match.
She argued that they need air space to continue reminding Gambians on the need for them to come out in their numbers to support the scorpions come on the 6th September.
“We need the support of sports producers and the proprietors of the radio stations to allocate time for this campaign. For us we are very positive with this team. We are sure that they can bring back those glory days when the entire Gambian populace rejoice and meet at West Field.
The trio who are geared towards encouraging Gambians to come out in their numbers also pay special tribute to the President of the Republic, His Excellency, Yaya Jammeh, Gambia Football Federation and Social Security and Housing Cooperation for their usual and timely support at all time.
They however called on other stakeholders and all other companies and individuals to come to their support as they bid to invite their fellow supporters club in Senegal to support the Scorpions against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.