CONSOLIDATING on the improved and high standard status of the previous pageant, the third Miss SeneGambia UK Beauty contest, hosted in the Easter weekend (March 22, 2008), dug deeper into the originality of the beauty and cultures of the two unified nations. Saul Sounds Joluv Arts, the organisers of the annual beauty contest, have continued to showcase the love, nature and tradition that bind Senegal and Gambia.

A live performance from touring kora instrument folk maestro Tatadinding, cultural reggae Prince Shaka and a variety of mixed and contemporary musical displays by various underground and mainstream acts gave the pageant an outstanding oomph. Presenters Nabou Faal and Waka Jagne left the audience with a huge bite of timely humour amidst their coordinated introductions of various segments of the contest.

The contestants represented that unique natural looks and beauty of the region, giving the judges a hard task in deciding the top three. After a repeated scrutiny, through all segments of the pageant, the judges merged scores to arrive at the three lucky winners. 21-year-old Athia Sow grabbed the second runner up whilst Ndey Amie, a 19-year-old, won the second runner up slot.

18-year-old Rabia Njie was crowned the 2008 Miss SeneGambia UK.

BBC Sports Mark Bright led the list of celebrities at the pageant hosted at Stratford Town Hall.