Swimming Association holds 500m Open Water Swimming competition

The Gambia Swimming and Aquatic Sports Association on 8 May 2011 organised its first 500 metres Open Water Competition at the Palma Rima Beach Hotel in Kololi.

The championship brought together 13 competitors in which Pa Ndure took first position.  Siaka Fofana took second while Jaja Mbye came out third.

Speaking shortly after the competition, Amadou Hamza, second vice-president of the association, said the competition is aimed at bringing together swimmers to demonstrate their marathon swimming skills.

"This will also help the association to scout good open water swimmers for national open water swimming team," he said. "The other objective of the competition is to promote, encourage, organise and develop open water swimming and other related aquatic activities in the country.

"The event is also intended to boost the moral and confidence of young Gambians that love the beaches."

Anna Roscoe, a member of the UK Swimming Teachers Association, in her remarks, said she was pleased with the performances of the participants, adding: "I hope to see more participation in swimming in The Gambia in the near future."

Yorro Njie, secretary general and co-founder of the association, for his part, said their aim is to decentralise the sport throughout the country, calling on all talented swimmers to join the Gambia Swimming Association. Njie described the competition as a successful.

Pa Ndure, winner of the competition, said he was extremely delighted at winning his first swimming competition and has vowed to continue swimming so that he can represent the country in the international swimming championship one day.