Gambia Secondary School Sports Association (GSSSA) on 6 March 2014 held a press briefing at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, ahead of the 2014 National Inter-Schools Athletics championship set for Friday 14 to 16 March 2014 in Farafenni, North Bank Region.
Speaking at the press briefing, the chairman of the National Organizing Committee, Alieu Cham, said he visited Farafenni few days ago to see the level of preparations for the 2014 National Inter-Schools Athletics championship, adding that the local organizing committee is making all efforts to register a successful inter-school athletics championship.
Cham revealed that he was really impressed with the level of preparations for the 2014 National Inter-Schools Athletics championship, saying everything has been put in place ahead of the championship set for Friday 14 to Sunday 16 March 2014.
The president of the GSSSA, Martin Gomez, said the association would do everything possible to organize a successful inter-schools athletics championship in Farafenni, adding that Farafenni “is the best venue to host inter-schools athletics championship”, apart from the Independence Stadium, because of the space and pavilions of the Farafenni facility, which can also attract people from all parts of the country.
Gomez said the championship was banned few years ago due to fracas in Bansang, adding that Farafenni has the space to host the championship.
Gomez hailed the security, medic and media for their contribution towards the development of sport in the country, disclosing that Guaranty Trust Bank will sponsor the 2014 National Inter-Schools Athletics championship and therefore seized the opportunity to call on institutions, companies and all and sundry to support the GSSSA.
The secretary general of the GSSSA, Alagie S. Darboe, said schools are divided into zones: zone A comprises Region 1, zone B Region 2, zone C Regions 3 and 4, and zone D 5 and 6, adding that the winner for the senior category will receive a trophy and cash prize of D10,000, while the runners-up will receive D6,000.
Darboe stated further that the winner for the Upper Basic School category will receive D6,000, while the runners-up will receive D4,000.
Certificates, he said, will be awarded to outstanding athletes at the end of the championship.