Mahaad, Mansa Colley Bojang crowned champions of inter-schools competition

Mahaad won the Senior Secondary schools category, while Mansa Colley Bojang Upper Basic School won the Upper Basic Schools category.

An experience never encountered by the younger generation of Greater Banjul Area and beyond.

The national inter-schools athletic Championship go down in memory for eternity.

Ismaila Ceesay led-executive chose Basse for right reasons.

168 schools participated in this year’s inter-schools athletics championship.

Eighty-three (83) Upper Basic Schools and eighty-five (85) Senior Secondary Schools.

The country's finest student athletes completed valiantly.

Latrikunda Sabiji landed in Basse with the highest number of qualifiers, with the fastest sprinter in the annual inter-schools athletic competition in the male category, Amadou Sabally.

Mahaad Senior Secondary School were in the competition like a warriors on a mission.

With the medal value-format played in this year’s competition. Mahaad Senior Secondary School bagged fourteen (14) medals, some silver and Bronze.

The pavilions of the Basse Mini Stadium were filled with exuberance, cacophony and songs for unsung heroes.

Two moments of amazements added to the epic that unfolded before Amadou Sabally and Haddy Jarju were disqualified for fault start in two different races that they could have scooped but they redeemed themselves in blistering styles in the other events. 

Two-time champions Jamisa Senior Secondary School never rediscovered their mojo as they slipped two steps below their usual positions for the last 24 months.

In the Upper Basic Schools category, champions fell and new champions emerged as Mansa Colley dethroned new covenant in a battle for the ages.

However, Sinchu Baliya and Fatoumata Jallow were a joy to watch.

To make the championship one for the ages, not only was it held at Basse for the very first time but the catalogue of high profile dignitaries that greeted the Basse Mini Stadium to see what student athletes can offer.

Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Programmes, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Administration, and directors from all regions in the country all came to add value to the annual inter-schools athletic competition.

Perennial partners GTUCCU, who gave One million Dalasis to school sports were present.

The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) has donated shiny silverware of trophies for the annual championship.

Meanwhile, former, present and overseas athletes have also donated sixteen (16) awards to sixteen (16) most decorated athletes during the annual athletics championship.

The geography of Basse accommodated all the athletic enthusiasts.

The air in the morning reverberated in every nook and cranny of the metropolitan town.