Gambia Armed Forces Athletes Set to Shine in Brazil World Games

Gold, Silver and Bronze medal to be awarded in the Peace Games

The three Gambia Armed Forces Athletes that left Banjul last week to Rio de Janeiro to take part the 5^th World Military Games will enter the race on Tuesday as the athletics championship gets underway.

Suleyman Njie in the 200m,  Dawda ML Ceesay in the 1500 and 5000m and Lamin Darboe in 100 and 200 m are eyeing for Gambia’s  first  Medal in the world Military championship.

The five-man delegation from the Gambia led by Lt Col Kawsu Sanyang  left Banjul last Wednesday to Rio De Janeiro Via Mali to take part in the 5^th World Military Games organized by the Conseil In ternational Du Sport Militaire ( CISM).

The Gambia delegation was later joined by Namory Trawally, The Editor of Sports View Newspaper through the invitation of the CISM office in Belgium.

111 countries, including 35 from Africa, are presently taking part in the competition that will end on July 24.

More 7,000 athletes will be competing for the highest medals in military sports.

The spectacular opening ceremony was held on Saturday at the Jao Havalange Olympic Stadium with the presence of the Brazilian president, host of ministers and high ranged army officers from the five continents.

 Speaking at a press conference before the opening ceremony Col H. Kalkaba Malboum, President of CISM congratulated the Brazilian Committee for the administration of 5MWG

. "I was impressed with what I have seen so far. I was at the stadium (João Havelange) and was very happy with the whole structure being built", he said.

 Gen Jamil Megid Junior, General Coordinator of 5MWG, who gave details about the arrival procedures from 111 delegations coming to the Games.

 "We have received nearly all the delegations and we are finalizing the reception of the athletes. 2,400 athletes will be in Green Village, 1,400 in Blue Village and 1,200 in White Village".

 Vice Admiral Bernardo Gamboa, President of Military Sports Committee of Brazil (CDMB), highlighted the hard work to give the athletes who will be at the event, the best conditions, and asked the press to support the Games.

 "The Know-How of the 5MWG is short. So we need much investment and effort of all media for the Games to have the coverage they deserve".

 All present emphasized the historical moment Rio de Janeiro goes through with the completion of the 5th Military World Games since for the first time there will be wide television coverage in Brazil and the world.

 

• Author: Namory Trawally in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil