Agitos
Foundation, yesterday donated 6 brand new wheelchairs (athletic equipment)
worth over 4000 Euro to The Gambia National Paralympics Committee for athletes
development in The Gambia.
The
presentation ceremony was held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Hagie
Drammeh, Press Attaché to the association said the equipment will go a long way
to complement their strive in the development of Para sports in the Gambia. Mr
Drammeh highlighted that it is a big challenge to acquire equipments as it is
very expensive to run Paralympics sports.
He
added that Gambia Paralympics has been fortunate through the leadership of
Sulayman Colley who have the organisation at heart and built cordial
relationship throughout the world and as such the organisation have enjoyed
many opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Gambia.
“We
participated in many events such as training seminars, competitions, meetings
and workshops for both athletes and officials in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Japan,
Poland, Kazakhstan, Tunisia and South Africa in which The Gambia was supported
by the ministry of youth and sports, National Sports Council, Gambia National
Olympic Committee and international partners,” he mentioned.
He said the organisation is preparing for
Tokyo 2020 Paralympics games and with this equipment it will help some of the athletes
to prepare ahead of the game in Japan later this year.
Drammeh
thanked MoYS, NSC, partners and individuals for their support and consideration
towards the development of Para sports in the Gambia.
Marcel
Mendy, the executive secretary at the National Sports Council said the
equipment will help the athletes to do their training effectively in order to
compete with their colleagues at the international level.
Mr.
Mendy encouraged athletes to maintain their hard work in order to realize their
dreams and become successful people in the Gambia.
He
thanked donors for the generosity and assured them that the equipment will be
put into good use for the development of the Para sports in the country.
