By Arfang M.S. Camara
Can sport really contribute to development? 250 youth leaders across the Gambia argue that it does – by building leadership skills amongst youth and enabling them to take control of their professional lives.
This was discussed during a 10 days regional training for community youth leaders from LRR, URR, CRR North and South and NBR on Sport for development with the theme engaging and empowering youth leaders to enhance development through sport.
The activities which were held under the theme: “Engaging and Empowering Youth Leaders to enhance development through sports” were conducted in Soma, Basse, Janjanbureh, Wassu and Kerewan from the 23th April to May 1st 2022.
The activity brought together young people from sport clubs, regional youth committees, regional sport committees, Ministry of Youth and Sports regional staff, youth councilors and returnees.
The training which also gathered 50 young people in each region was funded by the European Union in The Gambia and implemented by the United Purpose Tekkiffi project under IMVF.
The training had given opportunity to future sports leaders to acquire on the job experience by founding and leading sports teams and organizing community sports activities in their neighborhoods, which at the same time provided leisure for local children.
The training has also built a strong basis for sports leaders who are passionate about their jobs and also to address social issues, such as health education, women empowerment and peace-building.
The participants were also trained on resource mobilization, community participation, opportunity sharing, team work, leadership skills etc.
“This training has made us understand how best we can raise funds at local levels to organize events without waiting on donors,” said Omar Sey, one of the participants from Niamina Dankunku in CRR south.
Filly Camara, another participant from Nyamanari in Kantora district in URR expressed hope that some of his fellow participants will now be able to initiate community development programs through sports
Isatou Jallow from Janjanbureh in CRR south said: “I am very happy to be here and I will send my appreciation to the EU for funding this very important event and building our capacity in the process.
