The Baton for The Gambia captures the nation’s identity through vibrant imagery and colour. Painted in the national flag’s red, blue, green and white, it features scenes that celebrate people, wildlife and sport. A scorpion represents the national football team, the Gambia Scorpions, while chimpanzees pay tribute to the country’s renowned rehabilitation project. Sporting figures symbolise the nation’s athletes and their Commonwealth journey, set against painted landscapes of ocean and forest. The words Extraordinary and The Gambia are inscribed along its sides, reflecting the pride and spirit of the Smiling Coast of Africa.
The Relay began with a press briefing attended by national media before the official handover of the Baton to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Bakary Badjie, on 13 October. The following day, the Minister presented it to His Excellency President Adama Barrow, who carried the Baton to MacCarthy Square in Banjul for a ceremony attended by government officials, diplomats, councillors, athletes, para athletes, schoolchildren and guests.
From MacCarthy Square, the Baton travelled around the field and along Independence Drive to the House of Parliament, before continuing through the Kanifing Municipality. The route passed Sting Corner, Mamadi Manjang Highway, Westfield and Kairaba Avenue, finishing at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Fajara.
The High Commissioner hosted a reception on 16 October attended by representatives from government, the Gambia Tourism Board, WasteAid The Gambia, athletes, para athletes and schoolchildren. The event celebrated The Gambia’s participation in five sports at the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and highlighted the nation’s commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental awareness.
On 18 October, the Baton joined a large-scale beach clean-up from Bakau to Senegambia Beach as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign. The activity brought together national and local government partners, tourism and maritime agencies, environmental organisations and community groups. WasteAid The Gambia led the effort, supported by hundreds of volunteers, athletes and schoolchildren from across Banjul and Kanifing.
The clean-up focused on reducing plastic pollution along the coastline, which forms the foundation of The Gambia’s tourism industry and marine biodiversity. Participants learned how waste carried by the River Gambia and other waterways can end up in the ocean, threatening wildlife and local livelihoods.
Schools including St Augustine’s, St Joseph’s, Gambia Senior Secondary, Campama, Old Jeshwang, Deeper Life and Latrikunda took part in the activities, turning the event into a national movement of youth engagement and environmental education.
The Relay concluded with a final ceremony at the Gambia National Olympic Committee headquarters, chaired by GNOC Vice President Mr Bakary K. Jammeh, who thanked all partners for their collaboration and reaffirmed the country’s dedication to the values of the Commonwealth.
