The gathering provided the opportunity to affiliated clubs to take stock of the state of the Association for the past one year.
In his welcoming remarks, the president of Gambia Athletics Association (GAA), Alhaji Dodou Capi Joof, said the AGM was meant among other things to report on the activities of the Association during the past year as well as to make strategic plans for the future.
He added that it is important to note that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes athletics as the number one Olympic Sports and he can say with pride that in The Gambia also athletics is the most successful sport.
The GAA boss expressed delight and grateful to the executive committee of GNOC for their continued financial, material and technical support without which it would not have been possible for The Gambia to be represented in so many international competitions let alone with prestigious medals.
For his part, Mr Ebou Secka of the National Sports Council (NSC) said the day is very important for GAA as it gives opportunity to its members to reflect back on their journey and plan for the future and this is in line with NSC’s sports development strategy.
He hailed GAA for being the most successful association in the country and promised that his council will continue to partner with GNOC for the development of Gambian Athletes.
The president of GNOC, Momodou Dibba, congratulated GAA for the successes registered over the years.
“We at the Olympic Committee are very grateful to GAA for their representation in all the Olympic Games,” the GNOC president pointed out.
Giving an international dimension to the programme, Ms Beatrice Allen, first vice president of GNOC and IOC member, highlighted three main points which she believes could add more to the success registered by GAA.
According to her, grassroots development programmes, education for coaches, technical officials and coaching specialization and athletics youth experts, especially for girls, should be great priorities for GAA.
“Education for coaches is a very important area of athletes’ development in this country. The GAA has done a lot in this area, and I think it is time for GAA to synergize the resources of the IAAF and the GNOC to support a national programme in coaching specialization,” The Gambia’s IOC member advised.
“This is because as a country, we are moving from track events, and getting in to field events. For us to achieve maximum benefit, we have to invest in developing a critical mass of coaches and technicians in the different fields such as middle and long distance running, huddle race, race walks, high and long jump and the different throws.”
Meanwhile after the opening ceremony, delegates were presented with GAA president report followed by the secretary general activity report, and the audited account was presented to the delegates.
After discussion on the reports presented, the 2015 budget was presented to delegates for scrutiny and adoption.
The delegates also confirmed the election of Mr Yusupha Joof as the new treasurer of Gambia Athletics Association (GAA), he replaces Mr Mbye who has passed away.
The general meeting also appointed Mr Alieu Y. Cham as the new technical Director of GAA.
