The Gambia National Paralympique Committee (GNPC) recently staged a three day national disability sports competition at various venues in the Serrekunda Surbub.

The annual event started Friday morning 26 June with a 5 kilometer wheelchair athletic race followed by a gold ball by the visually impaired persons in the afternoon. The disability sporting events continued Saturday afternoon with a wheelchairs basket ball, and ended Sunday 28th June after a volley ball and football matches were played by the people with hard of hearing.

Mr. Demba Jarju, Mr. Salifu Kujabi and Mr. Malang Tamba received medals after taking first, second and third positions in the wheelchair marathon competition which started from Buffer Zone in Tallinding to Westfield Junction.

The Sunday closing ceremony also witnessed the award of trophies to cool ball match winners, as well as the Basket, volley and football match victors.

In her address at the closing, Mrs. Ndella Faye-Colley Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Programme Manager on Disability, said her organization supported the activity last year and is in the same vein supporting this year's event as well.

Mrs. Faye-Colley expressed VSO's commitment to the promotion of the economic, social, rights, physical health and political wellbeing of persons with disabilities.

The said project supporting disability sports is currently ongoing, aimed among others to provide training programmes for regional sports coordinators and representatives with a view to decentralize and promote disability sports across the country.

Mr. Sainey Camara, GNPC Secretary General for his part affirms that the event is continuity at the VSO 3 year's disability sports project marking the second year.

He said the successful participation of various disciplines of disabled population is a manifestation of what the people with disabilities can do. He expressed gratitude for the coming together of persons with disabilities to organize themselves independently.

Other speakers include Mr. Alieu Cham-Executive Secretary of the National Sports council and Mr. Momodou Savage-GNPC Technical Director.

Mr. Sulayman Colley-GPC President, Coordinated the event, supported by Mr. Lamin Darboe and Mr. Sunta.