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Gambian Swimmers Gleam in Dakar-Goree Swimming Marathon

Oct 5, 2015, 10:16 AM | Article By: Omar Jarju, Swimming Media Officer

Amadou Ndoye Diop of Yoff emerged as champion for the first time as three Gambian swimmers shone at the 28th edition of the Dakar-Goree Open Water Swimming competition held in Senegal on 27 September 2015.

Pap D. Jonga and Jegan Y. Jobe of Barra, and Momodou Lamin Saine of Bakau competed in the 4.5Km and successfully completed the race.

In the Men cadet category of Course B of the 4.5km race, Momodou Lamin Saine came out 54th with a timing of 01:28:10 and an overall ranking of 362, whilst Pap D. Jonga finished 92 with an improved timing of 01:44:10 and a ranking of 363 and Jegan Y. Jobe finished 110th with a ranking of 364 out of the 423 swimmers in course B.

The competition was categorised into two courses, A & B. Course A was the longest - 5.2Km course for senior swimmers, whilst course B was the junior course of 4.5Km for cadet and junior swimmers.

The Gambia, participating for the second time, joined other 10 countries like France, India, Japan, Niger etc. The Gambian team was accompanied by six officials among them two International FINA Open Water referees Arfang Y. Jobe and Amadou Danso, who also officiated as course judges.

The event is an annual programme organised by the Senegalese Swimming Federation with the aim to help expose talents to International Open Water Swimming competitions and also avail Gambian International Open Water Swimming referees the chance to officiate in high level international competitions to enhance their experience.