The Minister of Youth and Sports has stated that the Sports for Health initiative is aimed at helping the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Alieu Kebba Jammeh added that the initiative is very important as it also signifies the seriousness of The Gambia Government in the areas of health and sports.
He was speaking on Friday during the opening of the fifth edition of the initiative held at the Serrekunda West Mini-Stadium.
The three-day event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry Health is also geared towards promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports. It brought together the United Nations systems in The Gambia, politicians, the judiciary, executive, civil servants, combined forces, business community, and legislators, who participated in the different sporting disciplines and as well socialized to have fun.
Minister Jammeh further said The Gambia Government continues to invest hugely in both health and sports. He, therefore, encouraged everyone to take the initiative seriously.
Representing the World Health Organisation Country Representative, Modou Gassama, said the WHO is very happy to learn that The Gambia is also using this year’s event to observe World Health Day with the theme focusing on diabetes mellitus.
While thanking The Gambia Government through the Sports and Health Ministries for organising such an annual event, he said the number of people living with diabetes have nearly quadrupled from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, adding that most of these people live in developing countries.
Saikou Maffuge Fatajo of the Ageing with a Smile Initiative (ASI) expressed delight for partnering with the two Ministries in organising such an event.
by Arfang MS Camara & Jainaba D Jatta
