“The high command of the department is so delighted with the astonishing performance of our staff athletes,” he said, welcoming the athletes at his office in Banjul. “They have all made us proud and the country at large. I want to assure you of all of the management’s unwavering support at all times with the desire of ensuring that you all realise your potential.”
Despite inadequate structures and much needed financial support, the Gambian athletes who recently participated in the All African Games put up an incredible performance, with the four prison officers breaking the national records during the 4x100 final relay hit with a timing of 39:24 seconds breaking the previous record which was at 39: 27 seconds.
The athletes from the prison department include Principal Officer Adama Jammeh, Sgt. Ebrima Camara, Officer Sengan Jobe and Officer Kebba Makalo.
“With the passion and commitment you have, I am confident that you will all continue to excel in African athletics competition and the world at large,” DG Manneh said, adding: “As an institution, we will continue to provide you with the necessary support.”
He said further: “I also encourage you all to continue with your determination and training. Know that you are not only making us proud as a department, but the entire country, which is behind you. The performance that you did in Ghana is for the entire country, thus it should continue.”
Commenting on the significance of sports development, the Prison boss said: “It is among the unquestionable ways of developing the country. Therefore, it is important that other organisations and individuals also complement government efforts by heavily investing in sport most especially athletics. These people have great ambition, thus they need to be supported.”
Principal Officer Adama Jammeh, who also spoke at the convergence, thanked the prison department for the indefatigable support, saying: “Without your support it would have been difficult for us to put up an incredible performance at Ghana. I want to assure you that we will continue making you and the entire country proud.”
Proper structures for training and financial support are among the much needed things for the country’s athletics, he said, adding: “The Gambia has promising athletics. I can tell you that if we have the much needed support like the way other athletes in some African countries are having, we will not only compete with them, but we will defeat them in competitions.”
Early preparation for continental games, he said, is another issue affecting them. “If we prepare early like the way other athletes are doing in other countries, the Gambia will make strides in all different competitions within the continent and beyond.”
Commenting on the performance of the prison athletes at the All African Games, Jammeh said: “The 4x100 national records are currently held by prison athletes, who include Adama Jammeh, Sgt. Ebrima Camara, Officer Sengan Jobe and Officer Kebba Makalo. Again, both Adama Jammeh and Ebrima Camara competed in the 100m race in the heat and qualified with Camara coming out 1st with a timing of 10:46 seconds while Adama Jammeh came out second with a timing of 10:55 seconds.
“However, in the semi-final, Adama Jammeh came out 4th with a timing of 10:57 seconds and Ebrima Camara came out second with a timing of 10:45 seconds. Therefore, Camara qualified for the final heats and was ranked 8th out of the 57 participants.”
With the necessary support, PO Jammeh said, they would come out with outstanding performances in the subsequent competitions.
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