Gambia: Nation Parties With Queen's Baton

The Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi continued to spark enormous interest in India and the XIX Commonwealth Games to be hosted next year as it engaged the Gambians for the second day running on Saturday.

With Minister for Youth and Sports Mr Sheriff Gomez leading the way and with the Indian Counsul in Gambia Mr Arun Kumar Jain taking part in the activities for the second straight day, the baton touched the lives of thousands of Gambians. Mr Gomz set off the day's proceedings by starting a relay that saw as many as 40 vehicles, led by a truck which had loads of people dancing to the rhythm of Indian music. The locals welcomed the baton with the incessant beat of the sabarr drums. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm for the baton as the crowd kept increasing with each passing minute. After a two-hour relay, the baton was handed over to the Lord Mayor of Banjul City Council Mr Samba Faal, with locals dancing joyously. After a musical hour, the baton moved to Denton Bridge which is the border between Banjul City Council and Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) where KMC Mayor Mr Yankuba Colley received it.

A formal handing over was done on the bridge against the backdrop of the backwaters of the Atlantic Ocean. The baton was then taken to the picturesque Camalou Corner, which is locally known as Stink Corner and has marshy cultivation on one side and mangroves and tidal creeks on the other. Later, as many as 35 corporate entities including Safari Motors, SARA Trading, Shell Invest, Royal Enterprise, BB Enterprise & MP Trading, took part in the relay before the baton headed to an area that had a dominant Indian presence. Gambian Commonwealth Games Association Vice President Ms Beatrice Allen, Mr Arun Kumar Jain and Honorary Consul General of India in the Gambia Mr Ram Mohan received it.

Nearly 200 Indian families dressed in traditional attire participated in the relay before it was time for the baton to be taken around Kairaba Beach Hotels for interaction with nationals from various countries. Some 6000 people took part in relay where dance and music featured prominently. The Consulate General of India in The Gambia hosted a well attended dinner in honour of the baton.