Gambia News : Gambian V-P eulogises sports as development catalyst
Jul 12,2009 00:00
by
Anna
Gambia's vice president Isatou Njie-Saidy on Friday eulogised sports as
having contributed significantly to family upliftment and brought glory
to the nation.Speaking at the opening of the country's first national sports conference here, Mrs. Njie-Saidy said sports had also brought a lot of commercial benefits and strong linkage with socio-economic advancement, growth and development.
She pointed out that effective administration and management were fundamental prerequisites for enhanced sports development which the conference was out to highlight.
According to her, "as a developing country gaining international recognition in sports, especially in football, the country needed to take advantage of every opportunity to ensure that sports is well developed."
She said it was in recognition of the importance of sports in the development of the country that the government had, over the years, provided significant moral and financial support for all sports.
Njie-Saidy said government would not relent in its effort, but warned that the gains could only be realised if all athletes come together to be adequately prepared to overcome the challenges facing Gambia.
According to her, a new sports policy, expected to be fashioned out from the conference, would be implemented to the letter for the wider national development agenda.