The beneficiaries include Ndemban, West Coast Region, Brikamaba /Boiram, Central River Region and Farafenni, North Bank Region.
The Gambia Wrestling Association in partnership with the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), has been implementing a European Union Culture Support Project “Promoting Investment in Culture, Creative Arts and Traditional Sports to Enhance Resilience against Climate Change in local communities”.
The project came to an end after three years of successful implementation and series of outputs on capacity building training programmes for wrestling stakeholders throughout the seven regions of the country.
The European Union Deputy Ambassador to The Gambia, Raphael Brigandi, expressed gratitude to the wrestling association for taking the traditional sports activity to highest level, adding that the EU is promoting and investing in culture and heritage.
He stated that traditional sports are the society’s identity, adding that it is important because they contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
He further stated that wrestling is one of the oldest sports in The Gambia.
Deputy Ambassador Brigandi urged youth to take the sports activity very seriously.
Chairman of Kerewan Area Council, Papa Tunkara, explained that wrestling association works tirelessly to bring the accomplishment of the wrestling arenas into reality.
He urged youth and other members of the community to take the ownership and make best use of the arena.
Tunkara also urged them to always maintain peace and tranquillity.
President of The Gambia Wrestling Association, Serign Modou Faye, shared the backgrounds of the project and how far they have come to the final stage of handing over three arenas.
He pointed out that the project is aimed at exploring opportunities under the EU-ECOWAS Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to enhance the enabling policy-environment for the ECOWAS Arts and Culture sector.
He added that the project also is aimed at attracting investments and facilitated job creation for Artists and Culture Entrepreneurs in The Gambia to enter the European Market.
Mr. Faye revealed that during the implementation of the project from 2020-2021, they have benefited from the community wrestling training workshops and capacity building on traditional techniques, rules and regulations, management, entrepreneurship and promotional rights with access to finance for promotion of local wrestlers.
“As actors of economic growth and the role of sports in communities as a tool to promote local economic development, reducing poverty, enhancing resilience to climate change and help reduce irregular migration from the communities.”
Chief Executive Officer of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Sarata Conateh, said the partnership between the GWA and GCCI is a great milestone, adding that the partnership promote youth employment and the wrestling arenas would help promote wrestling in the country.
