By: Madi Senghore
Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) will join the global community in commemorating World Intellectual Property Day 2026 with a national event focused on the role of intellectual property in sport.
The event, scheduled for April 27 at the GNOC Hall in Banjul, is being organised in partnership with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Justice, through the Intellectual Property Office/Registrar.
World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on April 26 under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This year’s theme, “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” highlights the contribution of intellectual property to innovation, protection, and commercial development in sport.
According to GNOC, the commemoration will bring together stakeholders from the sports sector, legal fraternity, government institutions and the media to discuss the role of intellectual property in sports development in The Gambia.
The programme will include presentations aimed at strengthening understanding of intellectual property within the national sporting landscape. The Registrar of the Intellectual Property Office is expected to outline the office’s mandate and the legal framework governing intellectual property in the country.
A technical session will also examine the intersection between intellectual property and sport, focusing on branding, athletes’ rights, image rights, sponsorship and innovation in the sports industry.
GNOC will further present its mandate within The Gambia’s sports structure, including athlete development, governance and international representation.
The event is scheduled to run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.