The annual championship is expected to finish on 24th February 2025.
The first -vice president of GSSSA, Ousman Kebbeh, stated that the press conference ahead of this year’s athletics championship was unique compared with previous press briefings.
Kebbeh stated that GSSSA disbursed D531, 000 to the winners of football and volleyball competitions.
He further stated that their initiative is to make sure the competition grows bigger.
Kebbeh revealed that Ministry of Basic and Secondary Schools said Upper Basic Schools would have their administration on their own.
He further revealed that Senior Secondary Schools would have their administration on their own as well.
Kebbeh pointed out that schools are prepared to participate in the inter-school athletics championship.
He further stated that this year, regions have created their zones.
Kebbeh stated that this is the first time the national inter-schools athletic championship will be held in Basse.
‘‘Staging inter-schools athletic championship in Basse is to decentralise the championship to the last village in The Gambia,’’ Kebbeh explained.
Secretary General of GSSSA, Lamin Jammeh, thanked GTUCCU for rendering support to secondary school sports.
Jammeh stated that they received D700, 000 to perform their activities.
He revealed that there is unprecedented increment of the number of schools in this year’s competition.
Jammeh thanked the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council and The Gambia National Olympic Committee for their supports.
He stated that 150-170 took part in last year’s competition, adding that 220 schools are expected to participate in this year’s competition.
Jammeh further stated 90 Upper Basic Schools and 130 Senior Secondary Schools are set to participate in this year’s championship.
Jammeh pointed out that they have increased the number of spots from 13 to 16.
He lamented that the centres would be divided into two zones , adding all the zones would be divided into groups such as Kanifing Municipality zone and West Coast zone.
Jammeh further lamented that Kaur will be Group A
He stated that each zone will have eight schools.
The chairman of competition, Abdou Karim Sey, revealed that the heats were conducted in all the regions without any major issues and no suspension of schools during the heats.
In a separate development, GSSSA presented cash prizes to winners for their annual competitions.
Upper Basic School Presentation received D25, 000 as the champions, while Janjanbureh Upper Basic School received 15,000 as runners-up.
In the football female category, Upper Basic School category: Giboroh Upper Basic School received D25, 000 as champions, while Presentation received 15,000 as runners-up.
In the senior secondary school male category: Farafenni received D50, 000 as champions, while Tahir Senior Secondary School received D25, 000 as runners-up.
In the female category: Scan Aid received 50, 000 as champions, while Bottrop received D25, 000 as runners-up.
