By Arfang M.S. Camara
The Gambia Wrestling Association on Tuesday 21st June 2022, opened a three day training workshop for practicing wrestlers and regional referees held at the Janjanbureh Youth Center, Central River Region.
Declaring the workshop open, Demba Ceesay, representing the Governor of CRR said, wrestling is not only a tradition but a sport youths can make a good living from.
He therefore, said that the government alone can’t develop sports, while calling on everyone collective responsibility.
“In anything you do, one needs to believe in his or her potential and work very hard to make it in life,” he started.
Chris Addy-Nayo, Project Leader, elaborated on the objectives of the project saying that the whole objective of the project is job creation for the youths, livelihoods and reduced poverty within the communities.
“If we can do that through traditional wrestling and at the same time promoting and protecting it, why not, let’s do it,” he lamented.
Serign Modou Faye President of the Gambia Wrestling Association said, his association will not relent in its efforts to build the capacities of its Stakeholders
“We’ve held a series of training sessions in different communities and we will have one in every region before this project face out,” he promised.
He went on to urge all participants to make best use of the opportunity, while also advising them to share the knowledge gained with their people upon their return.
The CEO of the Janjanbureh Area Council Paa Sait Ceesay, described wrestling as a deeply rooted culture that needs to be developed.
He thanked the GWA for involving the people through their area council, adding that bringing the workshop to Janjanbureh shows that the association is decentralizing its activities.
Alagie Abdoulie Bojang Desk Officer for Wrestling expressed delight in the training and urged the trainees to engage the trainers to get the best out of them.
Mr Pa Ousman Bouy of GCCI discussed the role of his institution in the implementation of the project.
Meanwhile, Abdou Badji, wrestling expert from Senegal, thanked the GWA and said he is here to exchange knowledge.
The three days convergence brought together 30 participants selected across the seven regions in the country.