Gambian Paralympian Demba Jarju will represent the country in the Paralympic Games for the second consecutive time after he booked qualification to the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games in the 800meters category. Demba Jarju finished 3rd position in the 800mtrs race with a timing of 2.23, held in Morroco.
Demba, who qualified for the London Paralympic Games in 2012, has his participation in the Morroco qualification fully funded by the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh Babili Mansa through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
However, Paralympian Malang Tamba was left disappointed after he failed to qualify for the Brazil Games in Morroco, but the Paralympic Committee is said to be looking for funds to send Malang Tamba and Ida Nyang to try their luck in another qualification to be held France.
Demba Jarju said he was happy for qualifying for the Paralympic Games, while appealing for more support for Gambia to have more paralympians get qualified.
“I thank the President of the country for his support to our participation in the qualifiers in Morroco. It was a tough trip but I thank God that I have achieved my objective for my country, which was to qualify,” he told Observer Sports.
Currently, without the appropriate wheelchairs for his training and proper competitions, Jarju is not losing hope that he can bring glory home when he finally jet into Brazil. However, all that he needs is support and motivation from the general public.
Sulayman Colley is the President of The Gambia National Paralympic Committee and he was full of praises for the Gambian leader for his countinuous support to disabled sports. He said his committee wants to see more athletes represent The Gambia in Brazil.
by Alieu Ceesay