By Lamarana S. Jallow
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports has said that investing in sports means investing in the young people as almost every sports person is a young person.
Bakary Y. Badjie made these remarks during the unveiling of the national team coaches for volleyball and athletics, who were appointed by the ministry through National Sports Council at a ceremony held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Minister Badjie applauded them for their huge performance and results in athletics, volleyball and other sporting activities.
He encouraged the new coaches to do more than what they were doing, adding that there is no doubt that the commitment has always been there because they were doing it without being paid.
“We are appointing you with the understanding that you are now employees of the NSC and you are expected to work like any other employee from Monday –Friday or Saturday,’’ he urged.
He told the new appointees that they are expected to carry out their duties both within the Greater Banjul Area and outside because there is a lot of talent somewhere in the regions that they might not see.
The minister noted that with the appointment of the coaches, he is hoping they will come up with very good programmes on how they want to run their coaching department or unit, adding that NSC will ensure that they have enough coverage to execute their duties.
Lamin S. Jawara, Chairman of the National Sports Council applauded the ministry for initiating such programmes and activities despite the challenges of being in the mid of the year with such proposal. He urged the association to support the appointed coaches.
For his part, Dodou Capy Joof, representative of the athletics association said for the first time in the history of Gambian sports, athletics and volleyball coaches are employed by the Government of The Gambia through the National Sports Council is worthy for celebration.
He reminded the ministry that athletics is different from other sports, as it is an individual sport which requires frequent competitions.
Bai Dodou Jallow, President of the Volleyball Association said when they received the communication that the Government wants to employ a full time coach; the entire volleyball family received the message with happiness.
He recalled that they used to appoint coaches for two to three weeks when they have national assignment and after the assignment, the coaches would go back to their usual work and that has been a challenge.
The following persons were appointed: Mam kaway Ceesay Njie, Field Events Coach; Mariama M.Sallah, Athletic Coach; Baboucarr Barrow, Volleyball Coach.
