Sports Minister embarks on tour

The Minister of Youths and Sports, Sheriff Gomez is currently embarking on a four-day tour in Banjul, Kanifing Municipal Council, Western and North Bank Regions in a bid to familiarise himself with the sports facilities within his preview.

His delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Youths and Sports, National Sports Council, National Youths Council, National Youths Service Scheme and other organisations were yesterday met on arrival at the Kanifing Municipal Council by the Lord Mayor Yankuba Colley, where the delegation paid a courtesy call on him.

Officials discussed a wide range of issues on youths and sports development before proceeding to Serrekunda East.

Addressing the gathering at Serrekunda East, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Sheriff Gomez said the reason for the courtesy call was to understand the way the other is working so that they can achieve excellence in sports through mass participation.

He also said "I am delighted that ninety percent of the things that they are about to do are almost completed," adding that they have already presented the youth policy and will today (Wednesday) complete the process of working on the sports policy.

Minister Gomez also stated that they had developed a framework of strategic plan, adding that they are working on restructuring the National Sports Council and the National Youths Council.

Mambanyick Njie, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youths and Sports said that they have realised that it is not enough to only set up a strategic plan, that's why they are embarking on the tour to discuss with the regions. He also thanked the Mayor of KMC for welcoming them to his Municipality.

Yankuba Colley, the Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) said he was very happy to receive the team.

Colley also said that the Ministry alone cannot do it, and stressed that they should work as partners in development.

Other speakers included the Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council, Besenty Gomez and Marcel Mendy, the Executive Secretary of the National Youths Council.

Question and answer session and a visit on the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium were also conducted after meeting with the Regional Youths and Sports Committees and stakeholders within the Kanifing Municipal Council.