Banana Jarju was undoubtedly one of the finest Sprinters in the country's athletics history with numerous achievements during his active playing days.
The retired great sports personality has a brilliant athletic career, having made a lot of international achievements.
Jarjue started his athletics career far back in 1977, and became the leading Gambian Sprinter in the 100m event, a year after he began athletics.
Jarju who has also served as a role model for a good number of Gambian athletes, who later became a national hero in the game represented The Gambia in numerous International Athletics meetings from 1978-1987.
He successfully competed in the 100m event against renowned world Sprinters, particularly Sprinters from the West Indies, the
Jarju had a fantastic athletics career having represented The Gambia in world athletics championships, such as All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games, as well as Olympic Games before he retired in 1988.
As an athlete, Jarju has traveled very widely to many countries and was an outstanding athlete, who has the country at heart as manifested by the numerous successes he registered before hanging up his boots in 1988.
The latest achievement Jarju is able to register came at a time when he was admitted into the GNOC sports merit list in recognition of his seditious service he rendered for the development and promotion of sports in the country.
The 12th sports banquet and awards ceremony was held at the Kombo Beach Hotel on Saturday 8th May 2010, as part of the Gambia National Olympic Committee’s effort to recognise the significant contribution of sports men and women, whose valuable contribution in sports development in The Gambia has been the key to the country’s success in the area of sports.
