By Arfang M.S. Camara
The Gambia Wrestling Association (GWA) on Tuesday commenced a two-day capacity building training for traditional sports technicians as actors of economic growth and enhancing resilience to climate change in rural communities, held at the Farafenni Senior Secondary School Hall, in the North Bank Region.
The training that brought together 30 participants across the country, is part of the European Union (EU) funded project “promoting investment in Culture, Creative Arts and Traditional Sports to Enhance Resilience against Climate Change in Local Communities”.
Speaking at the training, Musa Kanteh, deputy governor of the North Bank Region expressed delight to the Gambia Wrestling Association for choosing to hold their training in their region.
“I can be proud enough to say that we {were} the first {region} to allocate a Land for the project. We don’t push and pull, we do whatever it takes to keep the region going and our doors are always open,” he added.
Lamin Jawara, chairman of the National Sports Council, commended the GWA for going beyond the target set by his institution, adding that the Wrestling Association is one of the associations that have a representative towards the development of their programs across all regions.
He advised the participants to take the training seriously as to help in the implementation of the project.
“You people are identified not because you’re the best. So I would therefore appeal to you to make the best use of the opportunity that. I’m saying this because this kind of training is hard to come by, so if you have this opportunity capitalize on it,” he told the participants.
Course Instructor, Abdou Badji from Senegal, encouraged the participants to make good use of the opportunity as he came to complete the work started by his Late compatriot, Jean Jatta, who was earlier identified to be the instructor of the training.
Chris Addy-Nayo, project leader, elaborated on the need to preserve African Tradition and Culture, saying that this project can help the Gambia’s ability to maintain and retain its culture and tradition.
“This is a great opportunity to spread Gambian culture across the sub-region, as well as to maintain it for generations to come,” he said.
As culture and tradition identifies people, Mr. Addy-Nayo maintained that the Gambia should continue to enhance its culture and tradition, adding that culture and tradition also creates opportunities for culture providers to youth, jobs and livelihood as well.
“We can integrate them into the tourism calendar. So that when tourists come they will also come to the Arenas and experience our culture,” he said.
Serign Modou Faye, President, Gambia Wrestling Association, thanked the NBR for hosting the workshop and assured the participants of his Associations resolved to build the capacity of all its stakeholders.
He also thanked the European Union through its Office in The Gambia.
Other speakers including Lamin Ndow, representative of the Chief, Pa Ousman Bouy of the GCCI, all commended the GWA and urged the participants to make good use of the workshop.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Lamin Hydara NCAC regional representative, Fabakary Manjang Regional Sports Chairman, members of the Farafenni Wrestling Committee, Promoters and Wrestlers of the NBR Region.
The workshop ended yesterday, Wednesday 16 March 2022.
