Cuba and the Gambia strengthen ties in the sports sector

By Duanys Hernández Torres

Havana.- Osvaldo Vento Montiller, president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) of Cuba, received Hadrammeh M. Sidibeh, youth and sports minister of the Republic of Gambia, who completed a working visit to the Caribbean nation.

During the past week, Sidibeh toured centers around the Cuban sports system, including the Anti-Doping Laboratory, the Information Resource Center for Cuban Sports (CRIDC) and the Cuban Sports Research Center (CIDC).

He also visited the Manuel Fajardo University of Physical Culture and Sport Sciences (UCCFD) and the high-performance training schools of high-performance athletes Cerro Pelado and Giraldo Córdoba Cardín.

“It is admirable how they promote health and have achieved so many figures in sport with international results. No one can deny the results that Cuba has, “he said in dialogue with the head of the Cuban sports body.

The African leader ratified the desire to hold exchanges with our country.

“We want to have collaboration with the Cuban sports sector because 60% of our population is young and requires our greatest attention. Cuba and its sport are examples for young people around the world, “he said.

Sidibeh requested technical assistance in sports such as athletics, basketball and soccer, as well as medical personnel to attend various disciplines. He explained that in January they will open the first university of sport in their country and that the Gambians graduated in Cuba will be professors of that center.

Vento Montiller demonstrated the willingness of Cuba to help the Gambia’s sports movement with trained personnel, as well as the possibility of offering training bases and participation in events that take place in our country.

He also invited his counterpart to participate in the VIII International Convention of Physical Activity and Sports (AFIDE) to be held in Havana during the coming month of November.

Roberto León Richards, president of the Cuban Olympic Committee (COC), and His Excellency Mrs. Kujejatou Mamne, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Republic of Gambia in Cuba, also participated in the talks.