Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-03-18 09:50:16
The Gambia U-20 football team had a disappointing exit from the African Games after finishing at the bottom of their group, which included Benin, Congo, and host Ghana. Despite a promising start with a goalless draw against Benin, the team went on to suffer defeats against Ghana (3-1) and Congo (2-1) in their final match. This performance marked the worst outing for the team under the leadership of Coach Abdoulie Bojang, who had previously achieved success with the team in competitions like the Wafu and African championships.
In the sport of judo, The Gambia’s only medal hope, Abdou Rahman Ceesay, faced early elimination after defeats to Koga Paziaud and Apaye Gibba. Ceesay was eventually knocked out by Hazem Ali of Egypt, who is currently ranked as Africa’s number two judoka in the -90kg category. Despite this setback, the Gambia National Olympic Committee expressed appreciation for the efforts of the judo team members, including Paziaud, Gibba, and Ceesay, for representing the country at the 13th African Games.
Looking ahead, the GNOC mentioned that the focus now shifts to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, with hopes for several athletes, including Faye Njie, who recently returned from injury, to participate in the global multi-sport event. The committee acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the athletes and expressed optimism for their future endeavors on the international stage.
Overall, the recent performances of The Gambia U-20 football team and judo athletes at the African Games serve as learning experiences and opportunities for growth. Despite the challenges faced in the competition, the athletes have gained valuable experience that will contribute to their development in their respective sports. The support and encouragement from the Gambia National Olympic Committee and the country as a whole will play a crucial role in nurturing the talents of these young athletes and preparing them for future competitions on the global stage.
As the athletes regroup and reflect on their performances at the African Games, they will undoubtedly use this experience as motivation to work harder and strive for excellence in their sporting endeavors. With determination and perseverance, the future looks bright for The Gambia’s young talents as they continue to pursue their dreams of representing their country on the world stage.
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