By Nelson Manneh
The Gambia National Paralympic Committee (GNPC) is appealing to the government and stakeholders to support them as they prepare for the 2024 global Paralympic games.
Paralympic sports are games for the differently abled. It was formally introduced after World War II and the goal was to assist the large number of war veterans and civilians who were injured during the war.
Paralympic sports aims for an inclusive world through Para sport and to lead the Paralympic Movement, oversee the delivery of the Paralympic Games and support members to enable Para athletes to achieve sporting excellence.
Mr Sainey Camara, the Secretary General of the Gambia National Paralympic Committee, said para-sports is more than what happened during their games as it serves as a platform for creating awareness and creating opportunities for the differently abled people.
“As a country, for the past years, we have been participating in some of the Paralympic games globally, but we find it difficult to finance some of our trips, the government and some individuals have been supporting our participants but not like other sporting activities,” he said.
The GNPC Secretary General said, as a federation, they want society to know that sport is not only meant for the able persons but the differently abled as well, adding that the differently abled can also participate in some of the sporting activities globally.
“This year we have registered to participate in about five global competitions. We have already paid the registration fee and have also secured tickets for our participants but we have no funds to pay allowances to our participants. We are calling on the government to support us in that area,” he said.
Mr Camara, alluded that the GNPC wants to see the government of the Gambia support para-sports like they support football and other abled games.
“We have seen how much the government of the Gambia spent on this past African Cup of Nations. We know that football is expensive but we want to see the government’s commitment to para-sports too by providing some financial support.”
Mr Hagi Drammeh, a member of the GNPC, said people who are physically challenged should not be segregated because most of them have talents that can help them to change their life.
“We have recently toured the whole country to scout out people who are differently challenged and have talents when it comes to para-sports. We are now inculcating them to our team so that they can take part in some of our global activities,” he said.
According to Drammeh, being physically challenged should not make someone become a beggar.
“We want them to be productive in life and provide for themselves by getting involved in some of these activities,” he expounded.
