German Specialist Coach Aims to Strengthen Gambian Athletes

Mr Gunter Lange, Diploma Coach DOSB and Sports Development Expert working for the German government, is currently in Banjul, to conduct a two-week training course on 'Modern Strength' with Gambian coaches from all sports.

The training is part of a project financed by the German government and meant to help develop the strength and performance of athletes.

The programme is expected to kick off today at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

According to Lange in an interview with Pointsport on Saturday, the training, which is divided into two phases, will focus on Modern Strength, training modern, endurance training, and speed training.

"The concept is to train coaches from all sports so that they will in turn pass on what they have learnt, to the athletes as part of sustainability," he stated.

He added that, "the second phase of the seminar which will go from the 19 to the 23, will look into strategies used in the implementation of programmes.

"The Gambia has a very good development programme as it has captured all the necessary aspects, but implementation is a major problem. And the seminar will give support on how to implement".

He revealed that the most active coach during the seminar will benefit from a five month scholarship package for training in Germany.

The German sports expert, who has been in this coaching field for over 20 years, has traveled to 40 countries including Guinea, Swaziland and Uganda.

He said the German government will donate equipment to The Gambia, that will help athletes to test their jumping strength and will also help to run down test on players' strength.

"I am very pleased to bring this equipment to The Gambia which will be among the first African countries to benefit from such equipment and I will teach them on how to operate it."

The equipment is expected to be presented to The Gambia during his stay in Banjul, and before wrapping up his visit on 24th of March 2009.