By Mustapha Jarju
The Special Olympics Gambia has on Friday disclosed that the Gambia will participate in the Special Olympics World Games scheduled for 17th of June to 25th of June 2023 in Berlin, Germany.
This was disclosed by members of the Special Olympics Gambia at a media briefing held at the Olympics House in Bakau on Friday, 2nd June.
It was noted that they have two athletes partaking in the Special Olympics World Games, in which Anna Mariam Badjie and Yaya Colley both athletes will be representing The Gambia in 100 meters and 200 meters respectively in the competition.
Catherine Moray, the assistant coach to the two athletes who are representing The Gambia in the World Special Olympics said, she the two athletes are ready and fit to represent The Gambia in the games after they have trained for months.
She reiterated that they are well prepared for the game and hoping to come home with Gold Medals which is their determination towards the competition.
Also speaking at the briefing was the Chairperson of the Special Olympics Gambia, Driss Bensouda, he said this will be the third competition that the Gambia is partaking in the World Special Olympics Games, the last was in 2018 at the World Special Olympics Game in Abu Dhabi in which the Gambia won Gold and a bronze medal.
“Following that was the Pan African Games in Egypt in 2019, where we also got two medals and so far our athletes are doing wonderful. So, this year we are going into our third world competition happening in Berlin with the hope to bring back all Golds. And we are doing the Go Gambia Move and we looking forward to the support of the communities and the general public,” he said.
Omar Touray, the head of the Gambia’s delegation to the Special Olympics World Games said, they are traveling as a delegation of 6 which includes medical personnel, the head coach, the assistant head coach, and the two athletes.
Touray added that “the country (the Gambia) is ready to support us in our preparation in going to Berlin and I am the head of the delegation who will be traveling with the team to Berlin next week 9th June 2023, and the team will join me on the 11th of June 2023.”
Anna Mariam Badjie, an athlete representing the country in this Special World Olympics Games said she is very happy to represent The Gambia in 100 meters and 200 meters in this year`s World Special Olympics Games in Berlin and she hopes to bring home gold medals for the country to celebrate.