By: Alieu Ceesay
The Gambia Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) has unveiled key plans and reforms ahead of the 2026 Inter-Schools Athletics competitions.
Officials met with media houses on Wednesday to discuss nationwide heats, new rules and regulations, disciplinary measures, and selected venues for the upcoming season.
According to GSSSA officials, the nationwide heats are designed to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity for student-athletes across all regions, allowing talents from both urban and rural schools to compete on a level playing field before the national championship finals.
The association also introduced new rules and regulations aimed at improving discipline, fairness, and athlete welfare.
“Last year, we organized a successful event. A good number of our athletes were identified. 26 of our athletes in last year’s competition were identified, and they went to Algeria to represent this country in the Africa School Games.” Sey head of Competition told the press
He continues ” 18 out of the 26 athletes brought medals to this country. The same number of athletes also went in December in Angola to represent this country, and they also came with medals. One of them went to the Islamic Games in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this year also, we are going to identify talents, but we will also select talents. We will identify talents starting from the individual heats going to the finals.” He concluded
Beyond competition, GSSSA highlighted the role of inter-schools’ athletics in shaping character, promoting education, and opening pathways for future sporting careers. Officials called on schools, parents, and communities to support young athletes as preparations begin for what is expected to be a highly competitive and transformative 2026 athletics season.
“This year, as part of our mantra, we don’t joke with one thing, that is discipline. Because as a school, we all know, one of our foundations as a school is discipline. So that is not going to be compromised in our competition, and equally cheating is zero. We have zero tolerance for cheating. We are not going to compromise on cheating.” Sectary General Lamin Jammeh.
For this year’s national school’s athletic championship final organizers are optimistic for returning to the independent stadium, while regional hits are expected to start from the 23rd January 2025.
“As you all know, our stadium has been under construction, and that has now forced us to keep changing our venues from one end to another. And financially, we are not strong, and that has already depleted our financial standing seriously. Because anywhere we go, apart from the stadium, we run into a loss.
So, this time around, we have made a consultation with the National Sport Council. And we are hopeful that this time around, the stadium will be finished before our finals.” SG Jammeh added.
The national schools’ athletics final is expected to be in April.
