BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION HOSTS FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR GAMBIA OLYMPIC AND PARALYMIC ATHLETES

The British High Commission on Friday hosted farewell reception to wish the Gambia Olympic and Paralympics athlete goodbye and good luck as they make their way to London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics games.

The event was hosted by the British High Commission, David Morley and was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Gambia government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports who was represented by his Deputy Permanent Secretary Malang Jassey and the cross section of the media.

Year 2012 is a great one for the UK in sports, with numerous celebrations including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee culminating in a month long cultural festival leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games that beings on the 22nd July 2012.

Speaking at the event the British High Commissioner David Morley said "over 4 billion people are expected to watch the games and the Administrator visit, study, world and do business.   Today, it is with great pleasure to host the athletes that everyone in the Gambia will be watching in the coming weeks.  I wish them all the very best of luck".  David Morley stated.

He continues to express that "I am also extremely pleased to be wishing the best of luck to the Gambia's first Paralympics team.  The UK wants these games to be the most accessible ever, using the opportunity to highlight disability right across the world.  I hope that these Gambian paralympians will become heroes and models to the disabled youth and children across The Gambia, showing that disability need not be a barrier and they too can achieve their dreams". He highlighted.

The President of the Gambia Nation Olympic Committee (GNOC) Alhagie Momadou Dibba thanks the UK Embassy for facilitating the visa translation of the Gambian athletes and the delegates.  He also disclosed the names of the four athletes as Suwayabou Sanneh, Saraba Colley, Demba Jarjue and Isatou Nyang two representing the athletes and others the Paralympics athletes respectively.  He also explain the way the athletes qualified during the screening process adding that they will join 204 international Olympic committee member countries to completed to 205 countries attending this year's event.