By Sulayman Bah
Eight Gambian athletes have left the shores of this country for Ethiopia 
to partake in the African Junior Championship, the NOC announces.
The ten-man delegation headed by Bamba Njie and gaffer Lamin Marikong left Banjul on Monday via Dakar. The participation of the team to the Addis Ababa meeting, is bankrolled by Olympic House, the GNOC.
The Gambian team to stay in Ethiopia from 5th -8th March 2nd for the African Junior Championship includes teenage track sensation Tijan Keita who clutched gold in the 400 meters with a time of 47.39 and shattered the African record in the process in the first edition of the championship in Warri, Nigeria in 2013.
Addressing the athletes at the GNOC resource Center on Monday, the Second Vice President of GNOC Abdoulie MB Jallow advised the athletes to be good ambassadors of the country while in Ethiopia. He lamented, there are many good athletes out there but they are the chosen ones so they must show an exemplary comportment.
Mary Decker, Development Officer of GNOC told the athletes to adhere to the advice of their coach and head of delegation.
“Be disciplined; respect yourself and your colleagues. Put in your minds that you are not going to Ethiopia to participate but to compete, get to the finals and improve your rankings” she challenged.
The delegation is expected back on March 09th, 2015.
Team line-up
Bamba Njie………………..Head of delegation
Lamin Marikong………….Coach
Athletes
Alieu Joof………………..100m and 4x100m relay
Assan Faye………………..200m and 4x100m relay
Alhagie Sonko…………….200m and 4x100m relay
Ebrima Camara………….. 100m and 4x100m relay
Tijan Keita…………………400m
Fatou Sanneh……………..,100m and 200m
Mariama Manjang…………100m and 200m
Demba Marong…………….800m and 1500m]]>
