The six-stranded Gambian athletes finally arrived in Birmingham, UK yesterday, Tuesday morning after they were granted late travel clearance by the British embassy in Paris.
Gina Bass, Ebrima Camara, Adama Jammeh, Sengan Jobe Alieu Joof, both athletes, and Abdourahman Ceesay (judo) left Paris yesterday, on Tuesday for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.
Gina and Ebrima are expected to compete in the 100 and 200 meters races at the Games after just participating in the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA.
According to a statement GNOC said “the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) made special arrangements for the athletes’ visas to be obtained in France, where they are based; hence, the current situation is beyond the jurisdiction of the GNOC and is in the hands of the proper authorities for an early resolution.”
Meanwhile, the Gambian contingents last week arrived at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
The Games are scheduled to run from 28th July to 8 August in Birmingham, England; and the 2021 Islamic Games in Konya, Turkey, from 9th to 19th August 2022.
However, sixteen (16) athletes including Gina Bass and Co are set to represent the Gambia in the Commonwealth Games; while 25 would be representing in the 2021 Islamic Games in Konya, Turkey.
Seventy-two Commonwealth Nations including the Gambia would be participating in the 280 events in 20 sports.