The Director of Youth and Sports, who is also the interim chairman of the newly established committee for the revival of lower basic school sports, Mr Sait Mbye has said that every thing is set for the 43rd Independent Sports bonanza on Monday at The Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Mr Mbye revealed this last Tuesday night during the GRTS television panel weekly education forum programe. He was quick to point that it is the utmost concern of the Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education to see that complete revival of sports in Lower Basic Schools through out the country. According to Mr Mbye, sports in Lower Basic schools was dormant in the past few years compared with the period from the 1960s to the ‘80’s when all Lower Basic Schools in the country converged at The Independence Stadium for the inter-regional sports athletic competition. According to Mbye it was the most enjoyable and memorable competition in the school academic year.

He said that the lack of trained physical Education teachers in schools and regional sports coordinators also contributed immensely to the serious dormancy of sports in schools. He asserted that Gambia College can now boast of a special specialised Physical Education Teacher lecturer who study for many years. He described it as a step in the right direction for the rapid development of sports at the grassroots level.

Another panel member, Mr Martin Gomez the principal of Sait Augustine Senior Secondary School, spoke on the need to exercise discipline by athletes during competitions whether at the national or regional levels. Mr Gomez emphasised that athletes and their supporters must behave well during sports meetings adding that unpleasant behaviour would not be tolerated.

Mr. Musa Mendy, panel member, said Lower Basic school sports will be fully revived once and for all and forever. Mendy said a nationwide tour was conducted to sensitize the people about the revival of Lower Basic schools sports.

He said athletes from the Provinces will arrive earlier this year to give them enough rest before the competition day.