Volunteers of the Gambia Tourism, a charitable organisation, is set to organise a 10km run for male and 5km run for female athletes called the Bajana Congress Marathon set to take place on 30 March 2013 at Bajana Village, Foni Berefet, at 9.00am, according to Mbacke Njie, administrator of The Gambia Volunteer Tourism.
The 10km race will start from Kafuta Primary School while the 5km run will begin from Kafuta Forest and end at the Bajana Nursery School.
Njie said the organisation is formed to help schools and youths by organising fund-raising activities, such as the Bajana Congress Marathon, and providing a platform where some tourists/visitors can offer their services and resources to help the less fortunate.
Njie added that they will be giving out trophies and medals to the first three winners of each set (male and female athletes) and also issuing certificates to all their marathon participants.
“We are currently facilitating the participation of some Gambian Marathon athletes to take part in the Manchester marathon, taking place in the UK in May,” she stated.
Transportation will be available for athletes and supporters from Westfield Junction and Brikama Market at 8.00am and 8.30am respectively, added Njie.
The organisation was formed in 2009 and this event will be the first of its kind it is organising in Foni Berefet, Njie also pointed out, adding that they have so far donated school/study material to Bajana village nursery, Mandinaring Primary School among others.
“We are currently building a nursery school in Brikama Town (Marang Nursery School),” Njie noted, adding that proceeds from the sponsored marathon will be used to complete the Marang Nursery School and also to refurbish and repair the Bajana village nursery.