The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) in collaboration with The Gambia Athletics Association (GAA) and the Japanese Olympic Committee on Tuesday commenced a five-day international athletics coaching course at the Friendship Hostel, Independence Stadium in Bakau.
The course targets 30 coaches in athletic field events, and is being directed by a Japanese expert.
Speaking at the official opening, the President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee, Alhaji Momodou Dibba, described the training as significant in broadening the knowledge of athletics coaches in the country. He said their aim is to develop and promote athletics across the country
The GNOC President urged the participants to take the training seriously.
Beatrice Allen, First Vice President of GNOC and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), described the training as timely, saying part of the mandate of the IOC is to promote athletics to the highest level. “We have been doing very good but we need to do more.”
Marcel Mendy, the Executive Director of the National Sports Council, challenged the coaches to take the training seriously and respect their instructors during the course.
by Alhagie Babou Jallow