Assan Ceesay scores a brace as the the Gambia stumbled to is to the final round of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. The Gambia won 3-2 on aggregate over Chad after two legs. Chad nearly ended The Gambia's dream as they led the game to the dying minutes before Assan Ceesay equalising through a penalty. Despite a 2-2 draw at their temporary home in Agadir, Morocco, the Scorpions 1-0 win in the first leg in Cameroon decided the tie.
Continue Reading >>The national beach volleyball team arrived in Accra, Ghana ahead of the Commonwealth Games beach volleyball Africa qualifiers. The Gambia is competing for two slots (Male and Female) in the Commonwealth Games reserved for Africa. The qualifiers hit off from March 25 to 29 in Accra.
Continue Reading >>The national beach volleyball teams will depart Thursday morning for Ghana ahead of the Commonwealth Games beach volleyball qualifiers set for this week.Head coach Pa Baboucarr Barrow says both teams-men and women are ready to fight as they seek to clinch the two respective Commonwealth Games slots reserved for Africa at the qualifiers due on March 25 to 29 in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. “We’re now set and the two teams know what is ahead of us in Ghana. We’re going there to get the two slots and participate in the Commonwealth Games for the first time,” Barrow said on Wednesday after completing the two-week camp in Cape Point Beach in Bakau.The men and women teams each leave the country with the swelling weight of expectation on their shoulders after failing to qualify for the Olympic Games last summer. Men’s captain Sainey Jawo urged his side to be guardedly hopeful since their opponents have also prepared well to clinch the single ticket for the Games billed for July 28th in Birmingham.“All the teams have prepared well and we’re aware of the competition which will be there but we will fight to the end to ensure we are going to Birmingham,” said Al Sadd star. Team ListPlayersSainey Jawo – Al SaddMbye Babou Jarra – Al SaddAbie Kujabi – GAFAnna Marie Bojang – Gamtel\GamtelTechnical TeamPa Baboucarr Barrow – Head CoachKalilou Bayo – Head of Delegation Ousman Njie – Referee Delegate
Continue Reading >>The Gambia beach volleyball team of Sainey Jawo and Mbye Babou Jarra have defeated South Africa 2 - 0 in the finals of the 2022 Commonwealth beach volleyball games qualifiers in Ghana.The Africa Games champion first trashed South Africa 21-08 in the first set before recording a 21-18 win in the second set to scoop the honour and qualified for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. This triumph over South Africa means revenge for The Gambia as they lost to South Africa in the group stages. South Africa might miss the goal medal, but they will also be in Birmingham alongside the Gambia as representatives of the Commonwealth nations from the African continent.
Continue Reading >>Babucarr Steve Trawallly silenced his critics as he scored the much-needed goal that helped The Gambia to a 1 - 0 win over Chad in the first leg of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifiers. The tricky winger fall out with the Gambia's coach Tom Saintfeit during the AFCON in Cameroon and abandoned the camp, but was given a chance and he proved why he should have been used by the coach with a late goal.The Gambia was the better side by far, but all they needed was a solitary lone goal at the Ahamadou Ahidjo stadium in Cameroon.The Gambia now hold a pole position ahead of the second game which will take place in Morocco on the 29th of March 2022. The overall winner of the double legged tie will be pitted in the group stage of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Continue Reading >>BOTTROP AND SCANAID CRIES, BAKOTEH LAUGH AND LK SABIJI PROVES UNMATCHED IN SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPThe 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.
Continue Reading >>Our report on Bakary Papa Gassama was inaccurate. We appologise for the misinformation.
Continue Reading >>The first batch of Scorpions arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Monday ahead of the first leg of Gambia's 2023 Total Energies African Cup of Nations preliminaries. The Gambia takes on Chad on Wednesday at 4 pm Gambian time.Coach Tom Saintfiet and a host of Players have arrived in Yaoundé.Captain Omar Colley will miss the first leg due to an injury he sustained in Sampdoria’s 2-0 defeat to Venezia. He is expected to be fit for the second leg in a week’s time in Agadir, Morocco.
Continue Reading >>Mboran needed just 1 minute 12 seconds to overpowered Amical of Club Roots in grand combat held on Sunday at the Serekunda West Mini Stadium. The event was organised by TMT Entertainment Promotion.The Club Mara prodigy recorded his 4th successive victory in the arena since losing to Soldaru Bai to win the Flag named after Halima Creations.Elsewhere, in the earlier bouts (freestyle), Nyaw Ngemba of Club Jeff Jel defeated Bebe Euma of Club Tysinger Family. Bebe John of Club Terminal Mbolo drew with Lebou Ndoye of Bakau Gom Sa Bopa while Buga Dem of Tallinding Japoo earned his victory over Police Boy of Club Feke Ma Si Boleh through warning at the end of regular time.Meanwhile, in wrestling with boxing locally called "Boureh Dorr", Reug Reug of Club Sukutankulu needed just 41 seconds to record his second in a row victory against debutante Taw Feh of Club Bala Family. Move Up Soldier of Ebo Town Mbolo defeated Del Tew of Club Serekunda Gom Sa Rew to earn his first victory while Ndigal Faal of Banjul Japoo continued his winning run with a victory over Bebe Koloban of Tallinding Mbolo.Elsewhere, Gomal of Serekunda Mbolo knocked out Bagbo of Abuko Mbolo in 49 Seconds. Arobas of Club Barra defeated Bebe Bala of Club Jabang Mbolo while Etoil of Nema Saku Ham Ham defeated Gas of Yundum Mbolo in 33 Seconds.Meless of Club Jabang Mbolo and Ama of Club Kerr Serign Mbolo battle it out in what many believed to be the combat of the season. The young wrestlers traded blows for much of the contest that lasted 17 minutes with Ama eventually carrying the day. The event was attended by hundreds of fans and wrestling enthusiasts, government officials, and the President of Gambia Wrestling Association.
Continue Reading >>2021/2022 Gambia National Volleyball league season is in week three with games played across 5 avenues across the country. Gamtel/Gamcel, Police, and GAF were the biggest winners with both clubs winning both their male and female games.On Friday, Prisons female team beat Hamza in straight sets, Hamza still young in the top flight could not stop the prison's side that still cannot get a respectable hold either in the top tier. Waa Banjul was also on a winning way after their 3-0 victory over Hamza. This is Waa Banjul’s first year in the league but seems they are getting a strong foot thus far.Meanwhile on Saturday, defending champions olympafrica beat Brikama male team at box bar. The 3-0 thumping against the Western outfit from the reigning champions had given the latter a breathing space in the summit. Olympafrica female team failed to win away as Brikama stop the side with a resounding 3 straight sets triumph. Police male and female teams all emerged as winners in the respective categories against GFRS. At the fajara barracks, the police team did not give a chance to a Fire Service struggling side as they went home with the three points.On Sunday, Gamtel/Gamtel visited YMCA to play with one of the League’s rejuvenate sides, YMCA. The telecom giants came from 2 sets down to pull a shock in a 3-2 win. The comeback was led by Amadou Jarju who continues to lead an inspired Gamtel/Gamcel side. The ladies from the Old Jeshwang end also registered a straight 3-0 victory against the host to complete the week on a high note.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia Swimming and Aquatic Sports Association has elected Dr. Njogou Lamin Bah president at its Elective General Assembly. . He succeeds Ms. Bintou Touray Huma, whose term ended after the Olympic Games 2020. Dr. Bah will serve a four-year mandate ending in 2026In his acceptance speech, Dr. Bah thanked the delegates for their trust in electing him as president and promised to do his best to live up to expectations. Bah said his tenure as a president will focus on aligning the Association's strategic goals to FINA and work towards reforming the Association in terms of governance, capacity building, and the increase of athletes' rights and women participation. He acknowledged the challenges ahead of the new executive in promoting grassroots sports development, addressing the lack of standard infrastructure, and the need for more qualified judges, coaches, and referees. He promised to deliver a national structure that would provide an opportunity for all. Dr Bah said his leadership would strengthen the involvement of women in all critical areas of decision-making of the Association, and empower the Women Committee of the Association through outreach and sensitization. The new Executive Members for 2022 – 2026 areas 1. President - Dr. Njogou Bah2. Vice President - Mr. Muhammed Bittaye3. S. General - Mr Yorro Njie4. Treasurer - Mr Baboucar Mbye5. Exco Member - Ms Awa Sanneh6. Gender Rep (Women)7. Elected Athletes Rep - Omar Darboe
Continue Reading >>In the GFF first division league, Hawks thrashed Wallidan 4-0 and moved into second place on the league table. The Biko - Elite game ended in a one-all draw while Samger put a lone goal past Team Rhino in another encounter.
Continue Reading >>Thirty wrestling technicians underwent a two day training programme aimed at enhancing their knowledge of the sport. The programme, organised by Gambia Wrestling Association, targeted participants across the country to develop their skills to better understand the traditional sport. Mr Abdoulie Bojang the Desk Officer for Wrestling at the National Sports Council, said the training was timely and urged participants to transmit the knowledge gained at their colleagues.Course Instructor Abdou Badji, implored on the participants to be different technicians went they returned back to their respective regions. The training is part of the EU funded project "promoting investment in Culture, Creative Arts and Traditional Sports to enhance Resilience against Climate Change in Local Communities".
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