The training, which was held at the Basse Area Council’s Chamber, brought together participants from various para-sports associations and different disciplines.
The training was designed to introduce issues of development in para-sports in and wider range of participation.
The Paralympic Brand was introduced during the training.
The training was organised by The Gambia National Paralympic Committee in collaboration with the Rural Support Organisation (RSO) of the disables.
The training was aimed at motivating participants in the games with the Paralympic Brand and how to develop the athletes.
Participants were taken through presentation on key learning outcomes which includes the National Paralympic Committee structure, athlete development pathways, athlete identification, coach development and communicating key information.
Other areas covered during the training include Paralympic Movement, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the IPC member organisations and the Agitos Foundation.
The presentations further exposed participants through values of courage, determinations, inspiration and equality among them.
The presentation seeks the need to go back to the grassroots to bring persons with disabilities into sports.
Speaking to The Point Sports, Mr. Sainey Camara, Secretary General of The Gambia National Paralympic Committee, stated that the training was part of GNPC's recruitment process for the preparation of regional grand prix games, regional qualification games, continental, classification and the next Paralympics Games set to take place in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA).
Camara further stated that the training was aimed at getting participants on board for athlete identification to recruit them for the required sporting disciplines which will enable the GNPC to set the standard for the training and expose in the Paralympic Games.
He revealed that the GNPC is a member of the International Paralympic Committee since 2001 with good track records of participation by meeting the required membership code.
Camara further stated that the GNPC participated in many regional para-sports activities and Paralympic Games, from Rio to Paris, France and The Gambia was represented.
‘‘We have realised that our international athletes are aging and we want to increase the number of participants.
‘‘It is wise to reach out to Rural Gambia hence our participation was centered in the Greater Banjul Area,’’ Camara said.
Camara added that potential children or Persons with Disabilities can be identified, recruit and train.
Chairperson of the Rural Support Organisation and Basse Area Council representative for Persons with Disabilities, Fatoumata Fatty, described sports as a source of hope, confidence and sound health.
Fatty applauded to GNPC for training a member of URR who will further train their people in the various disciplines.
She appealed for para-sport training pitch in Basse.
