Its central mandate and responsibilities include pursuing and realising the development, promotion and regulation of youth and sports affairs in the country.
The Department of Youth and Sports is the technical arm of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It was established in 1973 under the then Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. In the 1980s it was created as a department and later a ministry was established.
Over the years, given the growing need for youth and sports development, the Government of The Gambia formulated youth and sports policies (1999-2009) as guides to the development of these important sectors of youth and sport.
The functions of the department as per these policies are under the direction of the minister.
The Ministry is responsible for the guidance and formulation of the sports policy and overall coordination and monitoring of youth and sports affairs.
Youth Sub-Sector functions
The sector’s cardinal functions are to:
Oversee the implementation of the Youth Policy and facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of various programmes as articulated in the National Youth Policy.
Play advocacy role to increase opportunities for youth development, imitate lineages and collaborate with relevant government sectors and other partners.
The Department was restructured to enable it monitor, facilitate and guide sporting associations, regional/municipal sports committees and sporting zones on matters relating to sport.
Other functions:
Its other functions include the day-to-day coordination of sports development programmes and activities in close collaboration with the National Sports Council and other Ministries.
Planning and implementation of the Sports Policy and Plan of Action for provision of technical advisory services to the National Sports Council.
The National Sports Council was enacted by the National Assembly and assented to by His Excellency Sheikh Professor Dr Alhagie Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh on 14 December 2000.
The Council consists of a Chairperson appointed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, elected Regional Sports Chairpersons of the seven administrative regions, the Director of Youth and Sports, Representatives of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and Gambia National Olympic Committee, three experienced sports personalities (two of whom must be women) and the Executive Secretary who serves as Secretary to Council as an Ex-officio member.
The National Sports Council is the supreme council of sport in the country charged with the following functions and responsibilities:
- A) Advise the Minister on matters relating to sport.
- B) Act as the main promotional and coordinating agency of sport in the country.
- C) Strengthen the cohesion among the various structures of The Gambia Sports Association and other Sporting Organisations.
- D) Act as the approving body for the registration of National Sports Associations.
- E) Assist in co-ordination and monitoring, and evaluating the implementation and impact of the programmes within the policy framework.
- F) Develop, promote and co-ordinate all forms of amateur and professional sport at the national and international levels.
- G) Promote the diversification of sport to all parts and at all levels in the country.
- H) Ensure that the National Sports Association at all levels conform to the national and international rules, regulations, norms, standards and codes of conduct governing sport.
