Officials of the Brufut Marathon Association (BMA), organisers of the popular annual Brufut Run, recently called on the Army Headquarters to formally present a bronze medal won by national army athlete Hoja Secka at the Bradford International Marathon last December. Secka was nominated by the BMA as winner of the 2011 Brufut female run.

Introducing the athlete's achievement and participation at the UK marathon, Ba S, Jabbi, chairman of the BMA, said that his association has a long tradition with the Gambia Armed Forces, stretching over 18 years since the start of the Brufut Run. "I can vividly recall your soldiers' participation in the first editions of the run and that relation has always remained to date. It is therefore no surprise that our partnership has brought about a great achievement in Hoja representing The Gambia at the Bradford run," Jabbie toldCol. Lamin FK Jammeh , Director, Policy and Planning, who received the delegation.

On his part, Col. Jammeh expressed the Army's delight at Secka's achievement, and thanked the BMA for facilitating her representation of the country in an international event. "Sports has been and is still a key pillar in our activities as it is one of the ways we socialise and build trust and confidence between us and the civilians," Jammeh said, while conveying CDS Badjie's gratitude to the athlete and the BMA.

Other speakers included Mamudou Max Jallow, executive director; and Lamin Cham and PRO of the Brufut Marathon Association.Army sports technician and coach, Warrant Officer Modou Lamin Jatta, who coached the athlete in UK, was also in attendance.