The Gambia Handball Association, in collaboration with the International Handball Federation through the support of the Gambia National Olympic Committee has begun a two-week handball course, which is currently in session at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
A total of 20 participants, including the female handball players drawn from all parts of the country converged at the Independence Stadium’s handball courts yesterday morning under the instruction of Allan Lund, an expert from Denmark, who is in Banjul under the direction of the International Handball Federation as he set the stage for an intensive two-week professional handball coaching course.
Lund, who is accompanied by his wife Mari-Ann started the course shortly after an official opening, as he trained participants on the practical aspects of handball as part of the association's effort to revitalise a game which has been dormant in the past.
Speaking to Pointsport shortly after the opening ceremony of this high-profile level one coaching course at the Friendship Hostel in Bakau, the Secretary-General of the Gambia Handball Association, Haruna Cham underscored the significance attaches to such a quality training course, given the fact that it will help the association in their efforts to revitalise handball, as well as spread the game within schools.
Handball has been absolutely dormant in the country and hardly attracts people’s attention due to many contributing factors. But Cham, who spoke to this reporter in an interview at the Handball Centre at the Independence Stadium, shared another view as to why handball is still lagging behind.
He told our reporter that the lack of interest and motivation by the Gambian people is one of the reasons why the game is struggling to catch up with other leading sports in the country.
But if this latest and wonderful initiative the association is benefiting from is anything to go by, handball could soon overcome such of challenges.
The participants who are taking part in this coaching course could consider themselves lucky because it will help them greatly in their efforts to be exposed to high standards in handball.
The programme is expected to end on the 16th of this month.
