The Gambia National Paralympic Committee are hoping to send six athletes to the Rio 2016 Paralympics ©GNPC

Sulayman Colley, President of the Gambia National Paralympic Committee (GNPC), has set the country a target of sending six athletes to Rio 2016.

London 2012 was the first time the country had participated at the Paralympics and they were represented by two wheelchair athletes in athletics, Damba Jarju and Isatou Nyang.

Although Nyang failed to progress out of the heats to the women's T54 100 metres event and Jarju missed out on qualifcation from the heats of the men's T54 100m and 800m races, the GNPC are positive they will have increased representation next year at Rio 2016. 

“It is a challenge to have 6 athletes represent the country in 6 disciplines in Rio 2016 but we stand a chance of making it for the first time in history," Colley told Pointsports.

The GNPC are optimistic their first confirmed participant at next year's Paralympics will be swimmer Barra Nyang, who they hope will be able to compete and qualify through the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Swimming Championships, due to start in Glasgow on July 13. 

Isatou Nyang was one of two Gambians to compete a the London 2012 Paralympics, but both failed to make it out of the athletics heats
Isatou Nyang was one of two Gambians to compete a the London 2012 Paralympics, but both failed to make it out of the athletics heats ©Getty Images

In addition to Nyang, there are hopes that Gambia will be once again represented in athletics, as they were at London 2012, while they are also targeting powerlifting as another sport the country could qualify an athlete in.

With the All-Africa Games due to take place in Brazzaville in Congo, from September 4 to 19, Gambia are aiming to send three athletes to help with their preparations for Rio 2016.

The GNPC have registered two athletes to compete in athletics and one in powerlifting, but are working with the Gambian National Sports Council to ensure they will be sent to the Games to participate.

Colley called upon the public of Gambia to support them if they are to reach the target of having six athletes at Rio 2016.

The GNPC are also creating a system to help disabled people make the most of their lives in the future, in addition to targeting having more athletes at multi-sport events, Colley revealed.

Last December the GNPC held a special two-day training programme aimed at building the capacity of its members to boost disability sport in the country, while improving upon an athletes' pathway on way towards major events. 



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