The team comprised of six (6) male and two (2) female athletes who will represent The Gambia at the championships to be held from 5 to 8 March 2015.
The athletes under the guidance of head of delegation, Bamba Njie, and coach Lamin Marikong left Banjul on 2nd March 2015 for Addis Ababa via Dakar.
The team comprised Gambian sprint sensation Tijan Keita, who snatched the gold medal in the 400 meters with a time of 47.39 and shattered the African record in the process in the first edition of the championship in Warri, Nigeria, in 2013.
The other members of the team are Ebrima Camara, Alieu Joof and Alhagie Sonko who teamed with Tijan Keita to clincha gold medal in the medley relay in 2013 with a time of 53.35.
Assan Faye, Fatou Sanneh and Mariama Manjang complete the Gambian line up to Ethiopia.
Addressing the athletes at the GNOC resource center on Monday, the second vice president of GNOC, Abdoulie MB Jallow, advised the athletes to be good ambassadors of the country while in Ethiopia. He said there are many good athletes out there, but they are the chosen ones; so they must show an exemplary comportment.
Mary Decker, development officer of GNOC, told the athletes to adhere to the guidance of their coach and head of delegation.
“Be disciplined; respect yourself and your colleagues. Put in your minds that you are not going to Ethiopia to participate but to compete, get to the finals and improve your rankings”, she challenged the athletes.
Mary Decker, who has a vast experience in athletics competition, also advised on the importance of controlling their diet during the competition.
The delegation is expected back on 9 March 2015.
Here is the composition of the delegation to Addis Abba
Officials
1-Bamba Njie………………..Head of delegation
2-Lamin Marikong………….Coach
Athletes
1-Alieu Joof………………..100mand 4x100m relay
2-Assan Faye………………..200mand 4x100m relay
3-Alhagie Sonko…………….200mand 4x100m relay
4-Ebrima Camara………….. 100mand 4x100m relay
5-Tijan Keita…………………400m
6-Fatou Sanneh……………..,100mand 200m
7-Mariama Manjang…………100mand 200m
8-Demba Marong…………….800mand 1500m
