Mahaad retains title with dominant display at National Inter Schools Athletics Championship

By Ebrima KB Sonko

Mahaad Senior Secondary School have successfully defended their title at the Gambia Secondary Schools Sports Association National Inter Schools Athletics Championship, finishing top of the medal table with an impressive all-round performance.

Mahaad accumulated 11 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze medals, totaling 110 points to comfortably secure first place. Their dominance was built on consistency across both track and field events, underlining their depth and balance as a team.

Jamisa emerged as a strong challenger, finishing second with 7 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals, amassing 86 points. Latrikunda Sabiji completed the top three with 66 points, driven by solid performances in middle-distance and field events.

Medal table analysis

Mahaad’s victory was not only defined by their gold medal count but also by their consistent presence on the podium. Their 24 total medals ensured a steady accumulation of points, giving them a clear advantage over their rivals.

Jamisa, despite matching Mahaad in silver medals, fell short in gold, which proved decisive in the final standings. Latrikunda Sabiji showed strength in selected disciplines but lacked the overall spread needed to challenge for the top position.

Nema-Su finished fourth with 48 points, while Brikama rounded off the top five with 28 points, highlighting a noticeable gap between the leading trio and the chasing pack.

Key performances that shaped the championship

Mahaad’s triumph was driven by standout individual and team performances.

Rohey Camara successfully defended her 400m U-18 title and played a key role in relay events, showcasing both speed and leadership.

Jainaba Saidy impressed in the sprints and anchored Mahaad to relay success, including a strong performance in the 4x100m U-18 girls.

The school’s relay teams also excelled, winning crucial events such as the 4x400m mixed relay and medley relays, contributing significantly to their overall points tally.

Elsewhere, the championship produced notable individual performances across participating schools.

Buba Bayo of Nema-Su dominated the sprints, completing a double in the 100m and 200m Open Boys.

Ebrima Jarju of Brikama Senior Secondary secured a middle-distance double, winning both the 1500m and 800m U-18 events.

Mariama Baldeh of Latrikunda Sabiji delivered an outstanding campaign, winning the 1500m, claiming silver in the 3000m, and adding gold in the 800m.

Mahaad’s back-to-back triumph reflects a well-structured athletics program that blends elite individual talent with strong team coordination, particularly in relay events.

While Jamisa and Latrikunda Sabiji mounted strong challenges, Mahaad’s superior medal spread and consistency ultimately secured their dominance, reaffirming their status as a powerhouse in school athletics in The Gambia.