By Adama Makasuba

Lamin Joof and Regina Mendy on Saturday emerged victorious in a marathon race organized by Talent Brings Supremacy Foundation despite encountering challenges of coaching and family support.

The long-distance race was aimed at developing the talents of youths especially school dropouts and to give them a sense of belonging.

Last year the competition was restricted to only those from Lamin Village but the rules were changed this year to allow youths outside the community to participate in the race.

Lamin Joof, who won the 5 kilometre race, went home with a goal medal, a certificate, a trophy and a cash amount of 10,000 dalasi, while Regina Mendy, the 3 kilometre race winner received a goal medal, a certificate, a trophy and 8,000 dalasi.

Speaking to journalists after the tedious long-distance race, Lamin Joof, expressed joy on his win and said he was not surprise with his triumph.

 “I have been training since September in expectation of becoming first in the marathon. This is not a surprise to me because I was confident of myself that I will come first in the race,” he said.

Joof said his main worry now is lack of coaching. He said he only train on his own without any coaching and correlated the issue to the environment he lives in.

He said his main aim is to represent The Gambia in international competitions adding that he had participated in many marathon races both in The Gambia and Senegal.

The other winner, Regina Mendy, said she didn’t have enough time to train for this marathon but managed to train for only two days.

Despite emerging champion in the 3 kilometre race, Regina Mendy said: “I have many difficulties from my parents; they don’t allow me to go for training. I used to hide and go for training, but I believe the 8000 dalasi prize will make them change their mentality, because they can use the money to buy bags of rice and other things.  I want to represent The Gambia one day.”

Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya, president of the Foundation, said the initiative is geared towards developing the talents of the young ones and unite them together.

He urged discipline among the youths especially students adding that “the youths are the asset of the country and that they should always have the interest of the country first before any other interest.”

Meanwhile, the Foundation would on Wednesday commenced a three-day Inter Area Athletics Championship which include track events like running, long jump, short put, high jump and tug-of-war for both boys and girls.