Perfection of Zone II Volleyball coaches clinic underway

A four-day workshop for Zone II volleyball coaches is underway at the Gambia National Olympic Committee conference Hall.

The FIVB/CAVB/CICDR/GVBA Perfection of Zone II Volleyball Coaches Clinic is organised by the Gambia Volleyball Association (GVA).

Lawrence Bruce, executive director of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), said it is always a pleasure for them at the GNOC to have the national sports associations organise training course for their coaches at the centre.

Mr Bruce says he is always pleased and grateful to address national associations when they have such training for their coaches.

Bruce also congratulated the GVA for taking part in the recently concluded beach volleyball qualifiers held in Senegal in which they finished third position.

He urged the coaches to encourage the upcoming young players and also appealed to them to share the knowledge gained from the training with others who did not have the opportunity to take part in the course.

"We will go all the way in supporting the Gambia Volleyball Association because it is an Olympic Sports and our aim is to promote Olympic Sports," he said, adding: "I hope that the volleyball association will in the near future have the full support of companies just like football and other sports."

Abdul Aziz Titao Mendy, acting-Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council, welcomed the course instructor on behalf of the Gambia government and thanked the GNOC for creating the conducive environment for the course to take place.

Titao said: "I am grateful to witness the opening ceremony of the course and I would also want to seize this opportunity to commend the Gambia Volleyball Association for organising such a course in making sure their coaches are developed.

"There is competition in sport nowadays and in order for you to meet that demand you have to make sure your sport is marketable."

Mbye Dem, director of FIVB Development Centre in Senegal, who is the course instructor, in his remarks, said coaching is a very difficult field given the fact that one has to start from the grassroots before progressing, "which is indeed an uphill task".

Dem urged the GVA to introduce volleyball game in schools.

"The development of volleyball lies in the hands of the coaches and for this to be achieved they should be ready to work with Physical Education teachers in schools," Mr Dem said.

Musa Casa Taal, president of the GVA, thanked all those who contributed to ensure that the training is realised, as well as the facilitators, for their cooperation.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Alagie Ceesay, head coach of Interior Volleyball team.