The championship will be organised by the Organisation of African Worker Sports Association (L’OSTA) and hosted by the National Inter-Departmental Sports Association (NISA) on behalf of The Gambia.
The NOC consist of people from government, NISA and other sports bodies, influential personalities from all sectors including media, security and business among others.
Around 20 African countries are due in Banjul for the six-day sporting jamboree, featuring several disciplines including football, volleyball, handball Petanque and Walk for Health.
Minister Badjie in his inaugural statement congratulated NISA for having succeeded in convincing their workers union to bring L’OSTA to The Gambia for the first time.
He also thanked members for their willingness to serve in the NOC. He added that the responsibility lies on the country to prove to L’OSTA and countries coming that The Gambia is small in size but indeed great in organisation.
“We will host the event to the best of our ability so that Gambia’s name and flag will remain in the continent as a country that can host any type of event,” he also said.
Saikou B. Jarju, the president of NISA, said the NOC will be overseeing nine sub-committees to ensure they have a successful event.
He confirmed that they would host the L’OSTA continental congress and L’OSTA continental sports – featuring six disciplines.
He thanked the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their support. He confirmed that preparations are in high gear to ensure the successful hosting of the event.
Mr. Jarju pointed out that the success of the event would require the collaboration of all stakeholders.
Marcel Mendy, the executive director of the National Sports Council (NSC), told NOC members that they need to get things right knowing that the event is fast approaching. He highlighted that to succeed, all stakeholders need to work together. He also thanked NOC members for accepting to serve in the committee.
