The Gambia achieved a historical feat in the just concluded 1st ANOCA African school games winning three gold, five silver, and four bronze medals.
The 3×3 basketball team led by coach Alieu Badara Jeng set the tone by winning gold against the Central African Republic in a 19:13 victory in Annaba. The first gold medal for the Gambia at multi-games since 2019.
The Alkamba Times spoke to coach Jeng, who just won his fourth medal (2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze).
“I am proud of the team, myself, and everything that’s happening. I have loved basketball since I was a child. I always dream of playing basketball professionally. But now, as a coach, it’s a dream come true to bring Gambia’s first-ever 3×3 gold medal in an international competition. My technical team was very supportive in building this team. I am grateful to them.” Jeng noted
“The future is bright; there are more academy basketball competitions and school tournaments. The grassroots are the only avenue to scout and prepare these players. Basketball is returning to its glory days back in the Gambia.”
Jeng further mentioned that they didn’t have adequate resources but that didn’t deter them from excelling.
“We use the limited resources we have at our disposal. We push extra miles even by going to the beach and always make sure we are in the courts.”
Jeng and his charges will travel to Angola for the All-African Games, and the female national team will engage in all Islamic games in Saudi Arabia.
Ousman Saho (60 kg) and Muhammed Faal (65 kg) won bronze in wrestling.
Saturday turning point…
The Gambia faced a severe test when they lost in the finals of beach volleyball to Algeria in both categories. The boys and girls were unbeaten until they faced Algeria and later settled for silver. Ensa Kanyi, Abdallah Bah, Hoja Njie, and Maimuna Sanneh received the first medals for the Gambians on Saturday.
TAT sports spoke briefly to Ensa Kanyi before jetting to Abuja for the CAVB U-18 Beach Volleyball Championship.
“I am very excited to reach the finals and have this silver medal. It has been a good partnership with Abdallah; everything paid dividend. We played as a team.” Kanyi indicated
“The tournament was perfect; we achieved our goals. I was overconfident because I was not seeing any team that would have stopped us. In the finals, we were playing against the fans, the referee, and Algeria as a team. It’s a lesson learned, and it will make us courageous.”
Kanyi, born in Tabokoto, plays for the Brikama Volleyball team and is a knockout trophy winner and was voted as the best middle blocker thrice in a row.
Gambia secured another gold and went on to win four medals on Saturday.
Amadou Sabally secured a bronze in the 100m race, while Buba Bajo secured gold with a timing of 10.72.
Rohey Camara wins the bronze medal in the women’s 400 m race, as she ran with a good time of 56.60, while Serra Sanneh secured silver in the long jump.
Amadou Sabally performed an MVP performance as he also secured silver in the 200m race.
The Gambia, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which approved 7 million dalasis for the African Games in Algeria, wrapped up the competition with gold for the boys in the medley relay with a timing of 1:55:26, while the girls settled for silver in the medley relay.
