Commentary

BOTTROP AND SCANAID CRIES, BAKOTEH LAUGH AND LK SABIJI PROVES UNMATCHED IN SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP

The unexpected last-ditch catastrophe that struck the defending champions Bottrop Technical Senior Secondary School and Scanaid, turned out to be a blessing for Bakoteh Upper and Senior Secondary School. Bakoteh had the last laugh and clinched their first title in School Athletics Championship and Latrikunda Sabiji proved unmatched and makes it six titles in a row in the Upper Basic category.

 

Indications were there that Bottrop would have defended their title considering their strength or Scanaid Senior School would clinch the title as they defeated Bakoteh to clinch the Region one title. Bakoteh couldn’t have hoped for anything better than Bottrop and Scanaid’s suspension as they [Bakoteh] secured the crown at the expense of the rest with the 100-thousand-dalasi prize money and winners medal. 

 

Analysts have boldly stated before the championship that at the Upper Basic School level, the title was for Latrikunda and it turned just that way as they retain their title with an unmatched performance that saw them amass 398 points.

 

Other Schools might claim they tried enough, but their efforts were not enough to stop Bakoteh and Latrikunda. 

 

Charles Jow and Saint Michael finished second and third respectively and pocketed 50 and 25 thousand dalasi. 

 

At the Upper Basic School category, Barra-Essau finished as runners-up with 25 thousand price money and Brikama U.B.S as the second runners-up received 15 thousand dalasis.

 

If Bottrop and Scanaid had not shed tears of despair, Bakoteh wouldn’t have shed tears of joy. Whether they will win it again or not, Bakoteh are the legitimate champions for the 2022 National Inter-Schools Athletics Championship.  

 

BOMBSHELL:

 

There has never been a shock in the championship than we saw with just three days to the competition. The organisers dropped a bombshell that left the affected schools shedding tears. Bottrop, Mahaad, Scanaid, Nusrat, Mingdaw among other schools were suspended from participating for using ineligible athletes during the regional championship. This was a shock for the entire athletics family, such a bold decision came as a surprise, but school authorities say it was aimed to “sanitize” the championship.  

 

UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE:

 

Winning an athletics title will require energy, consistency and athleticism. That was what the winners combined to display an unmatched performance which saw them secure the titles with the widest of point difference.

 

For Latrikunda Sabiji it was an easy ride in virtually all the events. If one thinks they are at their worst, that is when they finished second in the race. LK put together a formidable sprint and middle-distance team that scooped almost all the events as they amassed 398 points, 206 points more than second-place Barra-Essau who secured 192 points. 

 

A lucky performance can't earn one such incredible points. Latrikunda were simply irresistible. 

 

In the senior category, Bakoteh were equally above the rest. Their male team sometimes will have to negotiate their way in some events and miss some. For the girls, it was a clear victory all through, from the 100m, 200m, 1,500m, 300, 4x400, and Medley relay. Binta Jallow and co were just no match to the rest. This was justified by the 365 points they secured, leaving a gap of 181 points from second place Charles Jow who recorded 184 points.

 

OUTSTANDING ATHLETES:

 

The School Athletics always unravel bright potentials in athletics and the 2022 edition has seen an increase even though some previous performers have stayed defiant in their various events. With some bullet-like movements, Sitta Jarju, Isatou Gibba, Halimatou Saho all of Latrikunda Sabiji UBS were simply not at the same level as the rest of the girls in the sprint events as they emerged first anytime they stood on the tracks. 

 

In the middle-distance events, Mariama Barry of LK Sabiji proved energetic to win the 3000m girls open, while Sarjo Badjie of Arrangallen was the most energetic as he scooped the goal medal in the 5000m open boys.

 

Musa Kujabi of WYCE Upper Basic School was one of the fastest sprinters in the boy’s category, finishing first in the U-15 boys' category. 

 

At the senior school category, the girls of Bakoteh [Binta Jallow and Mariama Camara] were simply the best, the only position they settled for was the first position. If you think Bakoteh are only good at sprinting, wait for their middle-distance team. Safiatou Sanneh of Bakoteh Upper and Senior was the most energetic female athlete. She finished first in the 1,500m and 3,000m open girls respectively. Essau’s Amadou Sowe had the first laugh as he clinch the first gold medal at the National Championship winning both the 5,000m and 1,500m open boys for senior school.

 

For some students, this was their final season, but for some, they will have to return to see if they can defend their crowns in the next championship.  

 

CHALLENGES: 

 

School sports might have been doing well, but the nation is not doing enough in developing the talents it has been and still producing. One might brag about Gina Bass for passing through school sports, but the gap between her and the rest of the athletes produced by the schools is immeasurable. 

 

The challenge has been and remains the platform for developing young talents. “Our work stops at producing athletes for the Gambia Athletics Association [GAA], but they’ve not been doing enough. For athletics to develop in the country, there should be proper structures in the country if we are truly serious about developing athletics.”  Ismaila Ceesay the President of Secondary School Sports said.

 

The gap between Region one and the rest of the Regions remains the same as the country’s only track for athletics is situated in region one. This could be considered as a total injustice for a Nation whose most outstanding athletes are usually drawn from the rest of the regions.

 

When are the authorities going to show real commitment in addressing the persistent challenge?

 

 PLANS AHEAD: 

 

“This is what we can do, to produce talents for the Athletics Association”, were the remarks of Ismaila Ceesay the President of Secondary School Sports Association. In as much as that might be right, school authorities might also be hold accountable for not putting up enough strategies for the athletes they reserve the bragging rights over.

 

As if they were told that they need to do more, the Secondary School Sports Association said they are coming up with another competition – Regional Championship which will bring together school-going athletes representing various regions in the National Regional School Championship.

 

But what next after their academic careers, perhaps a question for GAA to answer. This could be another competition for the nation to scout real raw potentials for better and much-needed representation at the international level. 

 

It will be a tragedy to see the talents of these school going students end after their grade 12. With the suspended schools set to return with ‘unstoppable force’ that means more queens and kings on the tracks in the next edition and justice will be served if realistic advances are put in place to help the passionate athletes develop themselves at the end of their school careers.