The country were not eligible to take part at Glasgow 2014 following confirmation of their resignation from the Commonwealth a year prior. 

Then-President Yahya Jammeh took the nation out of the organisation, which is largely made up of former British colonies, saying it will "never be a member of any neo-colonial institution".

But Adama Barrow, who replaced Jammeh as President last month, has promised a return to the 52-nation grouping.

The formal process for applications to join the Commonwealth concludes with a decision being made at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The next CHOGM is scheduled to take place in Great Britain in mid-2018, meaning that no decision would be possible before the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"Eligibility to compete in the Commonwealth Games is defined by a nation or territory’s Commonwealth membership," Grevemberg said in a statement sent to insidethegames.

"If The Gambia re-joins the Commonwealth at the next CHOGM in 2018, we’ll look forward to welcoming back their athletes at later editions of the Games."

The Commonwealth Secretariat says it welcomes any effort being made by The Gambia to try to rejoin the Commonwealth.

"Should it decide to apply, we have formal processes which have to be undertaken and membership agreed by the 52 heads of government," a spokesman said.

"When The Gambia left the Commonwealth in 2013, the Heads of Government, meeting in Colombo in Sri Lanka that year, noted its decision with regret.

"We looked forward to the country’s eventual return because it was part of our very close knit family and our doors have always remained open."

Prior to Glasgow 2014, The Gambia had competed in every Commonwealth Games since 1970 except for Edinburgh 1986, when there was an African-led boycott, and sent athletes to Delhi in 2010 to participate in athletics, boxing and wrestling.

They won their only ever medal through Sheikh Faye, a bronze in the men's high jump, on their Games debut in Edinburgh in 1970.

Several countries have missed recent editions of the Commonwealth Games because they left the Commonwealth.

Among them is Zimbabwe, who have not competed since terminating their membership in 2003. 

The Maldives are set to miss Gold Coast 2018 after the country's Government announced in October they were leaving the Commonwealth. 

It followed criticism from the Commonwealth over corruption and deteriorating human rights in the Indian Ocean state.

The Maldives made their debut at the 1986 Games and have competed in every edition since.