The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) in collaboration with the Olympicafrica Centre at the Serekunda East on Saturday joined the Olympic Movement worldwide to commemorate the founding of Modern Olympics.
The celebration, marked with lots of events, was held at the Serekunda East Mini-Stadium.
The daylong activities included 5km and 3km road races for boys and girls, volleyball and tug-of-war for the lower and upper basic schools.
Latrikunda Sabiji won the tug-of-war and the 5km race; Binta Kalleh of Tallinding Lower Basic School won the 3km race; Binta Jallow of Bakoteh LBS came out 2nd while Fatou Gassama came out 3rd in the 3km race for the female category.
In the male category, Louie Manga of Latrikunda Sabiji Lower Basic School won the 5km race, followed by Ensa Sanyang and Ansumana Badjie of Abuko Upper Basic School with 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, Beatrice Allen, the first Vice President of the GNOC and a member of the IOC, said Olympic Day is for everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, noting that the important thing is to get the couch potatoes off the couch.
Although Olympic Day commemorates a historic event, she said, their target is the future, particularly the young people.
“Olympic Day is an opportunity to remind people that sport is not just for watching,” stated Miss Allen, stressing that they want to inspire everybody to get active in sports.
Abdou Cham, coach of Latrikunda Sabiji Lower Basic School, expressed delight for winning both the tug-of-war and 5km race, noting that they had been training for over two weeks for this event.
He finally thanked the committee for organising such an event for the schools.
by Fatou Gassama
& Jainaba D Jatta