Cherno Barra Touray was born in Ballanhar in The Central River Region.
During his hey days he was an excellent all round sportsman and a force to be reckoned with in the following major sports such as Athletics, Basketball, Football, Handball as well as in Volleyball.
He has represented The Gambia internationally on several occasions in most of these major sporting disciplines.
His career in sports started in 1960 when as a student at Armitage School as he represented his School at the annual inter-secondary school Athletics Championship.
He also featured very prominently in the middle and long distance event but particularly in the 5000m.
It was quite unbelievable to witness at the McCarthy Square (now Called 22 July Square) an Athlete comfortably emerging victorious in all the middle and long distance events such as 800m, 1500m and 5000m respectively.
On completion of his school days he proceeded to the Yundum Teacher Training College where his interest and talents improved to very high level and two consecutive years, Touray was unanimously voted the best student in sports.
As sports Captain of the college, he represented the college annually in various sporting disciplines against colleges in Dakar and Cassamance.
In 1964, as a final year student, Touray specialize in physical education under the supervision and guidance of his mentor, the renowned REV. Francis Eku Forbes of blessed memory.
As physical education teacher, he contributed greatly towards the promotion of sports in The Gambia Schools.
He was very much loved and admired by his colleagues and was also held in high esteem by students he nurtured to become outstanding sports men and women.
Mr Touray was offered scholarship to pursue a diploma course in physical education and sports administration at the University of Leeds, UK as a result of his great achievement in the teaching of physical education and sports among other fantastic achievements.
Touray's latest award came at a time when he was awarded the most outstanding sports personality of the year 2009 by the Gambia National Olympic committee (GNOC) in an annual sports banquet and awards ceremony held at the Kombo Beach Hotel on Saturday 8th May 2010.
He has served as the Gambain ambassador to Guinea Bissau and was a former coach of Capital club Real De Banjul where he was a founding member in 1960s.
