By Sering Mass Jallow
The Gambia Senior Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSSA) has announced that preparations for the Inter-Schools Heats and Athletics Competition are in their final stage, with the event expected to begin soon.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, during a media briefing. The association said this year’s competition will feature changes to the regional structure compared to previous editions. The heats aim to bring together student-athletes from across the country to compete at the regional level, with successful participants advancing to the national stage.
According to the GSSSSA, the West Coast Region, previously a single unit, will be divided into two zones: West Coast and West Coast West. Schools in the Kanifing Municipality will compete alongside those from Banjul, while Kaur and Bansang will be split into North and South zones. Basse in the Upper River Region and the North Bank Region will be merged, with their competitions scheduled in Farafenni.
Speaking at the briefing held at the Gambia Teachers’ Union Cooperative Credit Building at the Management Development Institute (MDI), Secretary General Lamin A. Saidy said about 250 schools are expected to participate.
“We are expecting 250 schools, according to statistics from our regional coordinators who have indicated interest in taking part,” Saidy said. He added that each school is expected to register between 25 and 30 athletes, bringing the estimated total to about 7,000 participants.
Abdou Karim Sey, Chairman of Competitions under the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, commended the initiative, describing athletics as a vital platform for talent development.
He said that following last year’s heats, 26 athletes represented The Gambia at the African School Games in Algeria, with 18 returning with medals. Sey added that the association intends to identify and nurture talented athletes from the 2026 heats through to the finals, in preparation for the 2027 African School Games in Nigeria.