The training course for National Sports Associations (NSAs) coaches who have never been through such training was aimed at helping them achieve excellence.
Ousman Wadda, second vice president of GNOC, said the training was also meant to enhance participants' approach in order to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in their duties as sports coaches or instructors in their various disciplines.
“The sports administrator’s course came at an opportune moment when Gambian sport is taking the bottom-up approach in terms of its development from the grassroots level,” he said.
According to Mr. Wadda, the course was based on GNOC’s strategic plan which has accorded high priority to training and skills development in order to enhance the standards and quality of sports in national sporting associations and its delivery in general.
He expressed hope that the course has accorded participants the appetizer needed to seize the opportunity to develop their relevant skills and competencies that will render them effective and efficient in the administration of their activities in their various associations.
Amie Lowe, from The Gambia Handball Association in her remarks on behalf of participants thanked the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) for organizing such a course for female coaches in the country.
“We would like to thank our wonderful trainers. Taking us through different modules shows that women can excel in sports. Also seeing Madam Breatrice Allen serving as GNOC president gives us confidence and boost our self-esteem that we female coaches can excel in sports.”
According to her, they as women in sports stand to say no to sexual harassment and abuse in sport, adding that this is because sport in the country is dominated by men.
“Girls and women are experiencing sexual harassment and abuse from male coaches, trainers, teammates among others,” according to her.
Madam Lowe added that the silence and fear that come with it is depriving girls and women to showcase their talents, noting that they want to have a comfortable environment to showcase their talents without fear.
She called on authorities to look into the matter, noting that female administrators and coaches have learned a lot and were ready to deliver in their different associations. She appealed for more of such trainings.
