Gambian and Africa’s 100m champion
(Photo: GNOC)
By Landing Ceesay
Gambian and Africa’s Queen of track, Gina Bass missed the Commonwealth Games 100m heats due to a visa delay.
Gina, who was supposed to compete in the female 100m heats earlier today in the games, was not seen on the screens.
Bass, the continent’s fastest female athlete for the 100m and colleagues were stranded in France on their route to the English city, while waiting for the approval of their visa applications; after representing the Gambia at the World Athletic Championship in Oregon, USA.
The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) earlier this morning confirmed the arrival of the stranded athletes in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games already underway.
Meanwhile, Yorro Njie, GNOC Secretary General confirmed to this reporter that Gina missed the 100m heats due to a visa delay.
When contacted, Justice M.K Saidykhan, Communication officer attached to the Gambian contingent in Birmingham said Gina Bass would be competing in the 200m event on Thursday.
On Sunday, GNOC said the delay of the visas of the Gambian athletes was beyond its jurisdiction, but the U.K Government and added that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Organizing Committee has taken over the processing of the visa applications of the athletes.
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