Gambia’s national U-16 male and female basketball teams were involved in a road accident on Wednesday afternoon while traveling to Guinea for the AFRO FIBA Zone 2 Basketball Championship.
The incident occurred in the town of Kindia Linsan, located about 135 kilometers from the Guinean capital, Conakry, where the regional tournament is set to take place.
According to the Gambia Basketball Association (GBA), some of the 30 players and officials on board the team bus sustained injuries and are currently being treated at Kindia Regional Hospital. All injured individuals are reported to be in stable condition and are under medical observation.
FIBA Zone 2 executives, along with Guinean government officials, are on the ground overseeing the response.
The GBA says it is coordinating closely with Gambian authorities specifically the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Gambians Abroad to ensure the affected players receive proper medical care and assistance.
In a statement posted on social media, Gambia’s Youth and Sports Minister Bakary Y. Badjie expressed concern over the accident and reaffirmed the government’s support.
“I learnt of last night’s bus accident involving our National U-16 male and female Basketball teams that were en-route to Conakry,” Minister Badjie said.
He added that the government was immediately alerted by the GBA and has since been working with counterparts in Guinea and The Gambia’s honorary consul in Conakry to coordinate the response.
“We have since coordinated efforts with the Guinean Ministry of Youth and Sports and The Gambia’s honorary Consul in Conakry to ensure proper care and medical attention is provided to the team, while further action will be determined based on medical advice,” he stated.
The Minister concluded by offering prayers and well wishes for the young athletes and their families.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the entire government, I wish the injured speedy recovery. May Allah comfort them and their families,” he said.
The U-16 teams were traveling to represent The Gambia in the AFRO FIBA Zone 2 competition, a key tournament for youth basketball development in West Africa.
Further updates on the condition of the players and the status of their participation in the tournament are expected in the coming days.
