The president of the Gambia National Paralympics Committee, who doubles as the head of the team delegation to London believes that high performance from the athletes can make a change in the lives of person’s with disability in The Gambia.
Sulayman Colley made this remark after the welcoming ceremony of the Gambia delegation where the Gambian flag was raised while the national anthem was being sung.
“I am very proud to see my flag raised and the singing of the national anthem,” he said. “I am now looking forward to see my athletes perform to make a change in the lives of persons with disability in The Gambia.”
The GNPC president says it’s an achievement to participate in the Paralympics Games after a very hard struggle, sacrifice, determination and hard work, which kept the Gambia Paralympics to the level they are, coupled with some support and caring from the Gambia sports authorities.
Delivering her welcoming speech, the Paralympics village Mayoress, Eva Guttman, said Britain cannot wait to see the great talents across the globe. “Everyone participating in the Paralympics Games is a champion,” she said.
According to Eva, the games are coming back to where they started. “We want to inspire lasting games throughout the world through sport and you the athletes can make us achieve that,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the eyes of The Gambia in the Paralympics Games are on Demba Jarju, who qualified straight to the London 2012 Games with a timing of 30 seconds below the target time for qualification of 35 seconds in Tunisia, and Isatou Nyang, who went through the wildcat game.
Demba Jarju will participate in the 100, 200, 800meters, while Isatou Nyang will participate in the 100 and 800 meters.
