By Olimatou Coker
The Gambia Judo Association over the weekend elected a new executive committee at its 2nd national congress held at the Gambia Pastoral Institute (GPI).The new committee’s composition is as follows: Timothy Colley, president, Omar Jobe 1st vice president, Solomon Correa, 2nd vice president Hamza Diab, secretary general, Karamba Saidy, assistant secretary general, Mariama Gibba, treasurer, Musa Touray, assistant treasurer and Abdou Sarjo, director of coaching and education.
Addressing the congress, newly-elected president Timothy Colley said his administration has over the past few years conducted reforms aimed at bringing judo to the doorsteps of every Gambian even though the Covid-19 pandemic affected those activities.
“We are however proud that we have moved the sport to a higher level nationally and internationally. There were only two judo clubs with a combined total of fewer than 20 athletes before but now, in 2021, we now have 11 clubs and 1,100 athletes. In addition, we also have 5 full-fledged trainers, from 2 in 2016,” he said.
He added that following a good performance in the Africa judo championships, The Gambia now is ranked 10th in Africa, ahead of the likes of Senegal, using only three senior athletes, Faye Njie, Omar Jobe, and Abdouraman Cessay.
Colley also thanked the National Sports Council and the Olympic committee for their support.
Lamin Bajo, the second vice president of the Olympic committee, expressed committee’s readiness to supporting the association.
The deputy executive director of the National Sports Council, Mahmoud Jawla, called on all sport associations to unite and avoid rivalry.
He said the judo congress is one of the best organised congresses he has ever attended.
However, Jawla, advised Colley and his new executive to be united to achieve greater success.
