The training which gathers 25 participants from different affiliated groups aims at introducing Olympic wrestling to the coaches.
Marcel Mendy, Executive Director for the National Sports Council said every programme is important because the world is at a stage where knowledgeable is needed by people to run things.
He described wrestling as one of the fastest growing sports in The Gambia, saying people administering and practicing wrestling need training to be able to administer it properly.
Ousman Wada, Vice President of The Gambia National Olympic Committee said coaching is a developmental approach to working and interacting with other people, noting that it can help people develop their personal capabilities, interpersonal skills and capacity to understand and identify with others.
“Coaching has been known to boost confidence, improve work performance and build effective communication skills. The benefits can be even more vast and specific to an individual,” he said.
Akuh Purity, Course Instructor from Nigeria expressed delight in seeing few female participants as a female wrestling coach in Nigeria.
She expressed hope that after the training The Gambia will produce talents who will represent and win international tournaments for the country.
Sering Modou Faye, President of The Gambia Wrestling Association thanked GNOC for the opportunity, adding that wrestling is among the fast-growing sports in the country and they aim to take it to international level.
“Without such training for coaches we will not be able to participate at the international level. If we have good and proper coaches, we will be able to produce good athletes who will represent the country internationally.”
Mama Faal, Assistant Secretary General of The Gambia Wrestling Association expressed delight being among the four female participants. She said the training will help in reviving female wrestlers.
She added that the training will also help coaches identify females’ talents towards reviving more female’s involvement in the game.
