(Issue, Monday, August 22, 2016)
The
Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports
have applauded the performance of Gambian athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic
Games in Brazil.
Addressing
the Gambia delegation at their residence at the Olympic Village after the
competition, the President of GNOC, Alhagie Momodou Dibba, said the performance
of Gambian Olympians in athletics, swimming and judo needs to be applauded.
He
said Adama Jammeh finished 5th in his group and ranked 38th out 80 in the
games, Gina Bass also finished 5th in her heat and was ranked 52nd out of 85 competitors.
Judoka
Faye Njie and Swimmer Pap D. Jonga have made impact as debutants in the Olympic
Games.
He
said it took great efforts from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Gambia
National Olympic Committee, the Athletics Association, the coaches and the
athletes to achieve such results in Rio.
For
his part, the secretary general of GNOC, Peter Prom, said they are very proud
of the athletes and they are not disappointed with the performance of the
athletes.
“You
have given GNOC the courage to do more for next Olympics as scholarship
provided to athletes from Olympic Solidarity through GNOC have paid dividend,”
he reassured the athletes.
He
said sports associations, athletes and GNOC should complement each other
efforts for better and progressive results at World stage.
He
asserted that all the four athletes, namely Adama Jammeh and Gina Bass
(Athletics), Faye Njie (Judo) and Pap D. Jonga (Swimming) have made the country
proud among big nations despite the meager resources.
Ousman
Wadda, the GNOC Treasurer, hailed the athletes and urged them to remain focused
and as an Olympic committee they would do anything possible in their powers to
support sport in The Gambia.
“Gambia have been sending wildcard at Olympic
Games from 1984 to 2012 in London when Suwaibou Sanneh got an Olympic
qualification standard in 100m and another barrier has been broken when Miss
Gina Bass and Adama Jammeh got Olympic qualification to Rio in 200m, which are
good achievements.
He
said when it comes to scholarship for athletes and coaches they are making a
lot of consultations to ensure more scholarships are provided for Gambians.
He
hailed the athletes for their commitment and sacrifice for the nation despite
the limited resources.
Dodou
Capi Joof, president of Gambia Athletics Association (GAA), used the
opportunity to thank GNOC for their support to the athletes by providing
scholarship for them and footing the bill of the athletes and officials to the
Games in Rio.
“We
can have more qualified athletes to the games if this opportunity is expanded
to other areas,” he concluded.
Addressing
the athletes before leaving Rio back to The Gambia, the Executive Director of
the National Sports Council (NSC), Marcel Mendy, said the performance of the
athletes was “quite impressive”.
He
urged the athletes to remain focused as getting to the top is one thing but
remaining there is another thing.
He
hailed the athletes for their comportment as an exemplary performance, saying:
“We at NSC, we analyze all aspects of our sportsmen and women including
behavior, and we are very proud of your behaviour and attitude, which is a
source of encouragement and motivation for us to support you in your career.”
The
NSC boss thanked GNOC leadership for the financial support to the athletes
towards the Rio 2016 games.
Meanwhile,
as the 2016 Olympic Games wind up, the Gambia delegation has been heading home.
Judoka
Faye Njie and his coach Robert left Rio on Wednesday 17 August and have arrived
safely at their base in Finland.
The
delegation to Banjul will leave Rio on Wednesday August 24 and are expected in
Banjul on Friday.
