A delegation of six sports officials and athletes yesterday left the shores of the country for Isle of Man (IOM).
The delegation included Mary Decker, the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) Development Officer and Chef De Mission for the Commonwealth Youth Games; Adama Njie, a coach; Gina Bass, Isatou Kanyi, Omar Jammeh and Abdoulie Cham, all athletes.
The four athletes are due to represent The Gambia in the Commonwealth Youth Games, which will take place in the IOM from 7 to 13 September 2011.
Speaking to Mary Decker, development officer at the GNOC and chef de mission, at her office on Monday, she said that all Commonwealth nations will be present in the competition, adding that the athletes representing The Gambia will come back home victorious with the Gambian flag flying high.
“Some of the athletes, this is their first exposure but we wish them luck in the competition,” she said.
She also said Gina Bass will compete in the 100m and 200m races, Isatou Kanyi the 100m race, Omar Jammeh the 800m and Abdoulie Cham the 100 and 200m.
Ms Decker added that The Gambia will only be competing in the athletics competition although there are seven different sports to be competed in. These are athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, rugby 7’s and swimming.
There is an age limit to the competition, she also said, adding that The Gambia only qualified for the athletics. “That is why we are competing only for the [athletics] competition,” she added, saying there would be a colourful main opening ceremony for the competition.
The Commonwealth Youth Games takes place every four years and the Gambian athletes will join their fellow youths from other Commonwealth nations this year in taking part in it.
