Gambia’s chase for Olympic medal begins today

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Namory Trawally, in Rio de Janiero -Barely three days after the spectacular opening ceremony of the 31st Olympic Games, atFaye Alex Njie the World famous Maracana Stadium in Rio,  Gambian competitors will begin their chase for the first ever Olympic Medal in the history of the Game today.

To start the ball rolling, Finish based Gambian Judoka, Faye Alex Njie will enter the ring on Monday August 08th, 2016 in the 73kg category of the competition.

Faye Njie earned qualification to the Rio games after winning silver at the All African Games and earning a continental quota spot from the African championship held in Tunis in April.

The 22-year-old Gambian, who fights in the 73 kg category, will face Didar Khamza of Kazakhstan at 13.00pm (Brazil), 16.00pm (Gambia) on Monday in the first round.

A number of 64 Judokas from all over the World will compete in this category in a long day event.

Faye Alex Njie who pioneers Gambia’s Olympic debut in Judo, arrived in Rio de Janeiro Wednesday morning accompanied by his Finish coach, said he is proud to represent his father’s land   in the Olympic Games.

Commenting on his first opponent, Faye said Didar Khamza is a good Judoka but not unbeatable.

The son of Ebrima Njie of Njaba Kunda of the North Bank Region, Alex did not think twice before choosing to wear the Gambian flag, despite overtures from his country of birth Finland.