GFA breaks silence on Osam?s resignation

Banjul, Gambia -- The Executive Committee of The Gambia Football Association (GFA) has broken its silence on the recent resignation of Fred Osam Duodu as the head coach of the U-17 team. The Gambia Football Association confirmed that Fred Osam Duodu had resigned as coach of the football governing body with effect from February 9, 2006.

According to a press release issued by the GFA secretariat, Fred Osam Duodu left The Gambia very bright and hopeful, adding that the coach had been paid all his dues by both the GNOC and the GFA.

It was reported that no payments, local or international, were outstanding in respect of his contract and his residence was even paid for in advance.

The release added: ?Some media reports that Fred Osam Duodu left The Gambia with ?parting tears? were very misleading and downright malicious. We wish to inform the Gambian public that the GFA has thoroughly investigated the circumstances surrounding Osam Duodu?s resignation. As far as the Gambia Football Association is concerned, Osam Duodu left The Gambia very bright and hopeful, and now that he has resigned, he would be appointed by the Ghana Football Association in a position that he is lobbying to fill.?

The GFA further thanked the President of the Republic and chief patron of the GFA , Dr Alhagi Yahya Jammeh and his government for their overwhelming support to Gambian football.

In conclusion, the release said: ?We wish to make it abundantly clear that no amount of sentimental criticisms would distract the GFA?s attention from its clear-cut goals for the promotion and development of football in The Gambia.?

Meanwhile, Observer Sports has learnt that Osam Duodu?s, who had only three months to go on his contract, has finally left because he is eying some other African countries, notably Togo.

As he was not sure of his contract extension in The Gambia, Osam decided to leave and look for contract elsewhere.

It could be recalled that Osam Duodu was contracted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) upon a request by the Gambia national Olympic Committee(GNOC) and assigned to the GFA as a coach from June 1, 2004 to 31 May 2005. With The Gambia?s qualification to the finals of the sixth edition of the African U-17 Championship, Osam Duodu?s contract was extended to another year ending in May 31, 2006.