The six stranded Gambian athletes in Paris, France, are expected to fly out of the French capital tomorrow, Tuesday, for Birmingham, the UK, to attend the ongoing Commonwealth games, TAT sports can report.
Adama Jammeh, the team captain, confirmed the development to TAT and said they received communication to be at the UK embassy in Paris for Visas and clearance on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 10 am GMT.
‘ Well, as the team captain, I am a bit disturbed while other athletes are in the games in the UK and we are here in France, but I am glad today, at least we are finally leaving for the commonwealth games. I know we will miss one game but can concentrate on the other games, Jammeh, who has been representing Gambian in global Athletics, told Alkamba Times from Paris, France, on Monday evening.
Gina Bass, Ebrima Camara, Adama Jammeh, Sengan Jobe Alieu Joof, both athletes, and Abdourahman Ceesay (judo) will leave Paris Tuesday for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.
They expected to compete in the 100 and 200 meters races at the Games. Instead, Bass and Camara left the United States two weeks after participating in Oregon’s just-ended World Athletics Championships.
Meanwhile, in a joint press statement on Sunday, the Gambia National Olympics Committee and Ministry of Youth and Sports said,
“The GCF made special arrangements for the athletes’ visas to be obtained in France, where they are based; hence, the current situation is beyond the jurisdiction of the GNOC and is in the hands of the proper authorities for an early resolution.’
“We have learned that the public and fans are concerned about the delay in entry clearance from UK government authorities for some of our athletes, the statement said.
“The GNOC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports would like to inform fans that they are in constant contact with the relevant UK authorities (i.e., the UK government and the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation) via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite the entry clearance of those athletes currently in France.”
