The popular May Day Sports fiesta that is held on May 1, every year, is drawing nearer, and the the organisers - The Gambia National Olympic Committee are not waiting for the very last moment before they could set the ball rolling in their bid to stage yet another successful all-day-sports bonanza.

The deputy executive director of the National Olympic Committee, Mr Lawrence Bruce, in an exclusive interview with Observer Sports yesterday, revealed that a National Olympic Committee has started consultation with interested institutions, adding that a good number of them, including some new institutions, have already registered with the olympic committee, whilst dozens more have signalled their keen interest to participate in this year's event which will mark the eighteenth edition.

According to Mr Bruce, efforts are being to ensure that the upcoming event is the best in terms of participation.

"We want this year's event to be the best in terms of participation. We want workers from all sectors of the economic to be part of it since it's a day purposely meant to conjure a social collusion between workers."

"The idea is not to have somebody winning, but what sports can do in bringing workers  of all sectors together in a very special order."

The 2006 event remains lingered in the minds of all - thanks to the surprise visit made by the Gambian leader, Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, and Bruce believes the presence of the President and Chief Patron of all sporting associations, in any May Day Sports will only add the icing on the cake.

Last year's May Day Sports was clinched by The Gambia Police Forces. The Gambia Revenue Authority were named the Most Discipline side, while Standard Charted Bank walked away with a coveted prize for the Best Dressed Team. The dethroned champions, Gambia Armed Forces, were as expected,  the champions of the popular Tug-of-War competition.