By Fatoumatta B Jallow.
The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), in partnership with the Gambia Cricket Association, has commenced a five-day training programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of cricket coaches in safety and safeguarding.
The training which runs from October 5th to 10th brings together 25 participants who are expected to gain practical knowledge and basic skills to promote safer and more inclusive environments within the sport.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, tutor Andre Jarju says the programme provides coaches with an important opportunity to learn the basic principles of safety and safeguarding and apply them in their respective sporting environments.
Jarju expressed his readiness to engage deeply with the training and encouraged participants to make the best use of the opportunity by actively participating throughout the programme.
President of the Gambia Cricket Association, Malamin Fofana, expressed joy and pride at the official opening of the training, describing it as an important part of the association’s strategic plan for developing cricket in The Gambia.
Fofana said the ambition to grow the sport could not be achieved without investing in the people responsible for developing players and promoting the game.
“We were thinking about growing the game, which cannot go without training people,” he said.
He urged the 25 participants to demonstrate commitment and patience during the training and encouraged them to share the knowledge they acquire with others.
Fofana also thanked the Gambia National Olympic Committee for its continued support towards the development of cricket in the country.
Meanwhile, Lamin King Colley, representing GNOC First Vice President Bai Dodou, who was away on official engagement, urged participants to absorb the knowledge provided during the training and use it to train others and contribute to further development of cricket.
Colley highlighted the progress made by cricket within the Olympic movement, noting that the sport was not recognized within the Olympic movement two years ago but has since gained greater recognition through the efforts of stakeholders and the performance of those involved in the sport.
He stressed that sports development should be inclusive and should not be treated as a personal or “briefcase” affair.
“For us, there is no politics. It is open to application,” Colley said.
He urged the participants to take the opportunity seriously and recognize their responsibility to contribute to the development and promotion of cricket.
Also speaking at the event, Baboucarr Secka of the Planning and Development Management Directorate of the National Sports Council emphasized the importance of safety in sports.
Secka commended the Gambia Cricket Association for the initiative, describing the training as a step in the right direction.
He said safeguarding has become an important obligation across sporting disciplines and reminded participants that their selection for the programme came with expectations.
“Much is given, much is expected,” Secka said.
He encouraged the participants to ensure that the knowledge gained during the training has a wider impact by sharing it with other coaches, athletes and stakeholders within their communities.
The five-day programme is expected to strengthen the capacity of cricket coaches in safety and safeguarding while contributing to efforts to build a safer, more inclusive and professionally managed sporting environment in The Gambia…
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