Over two dozen Gambian volleyball coaches under the Gambia Volleyball Federation (GVBF) have embarked on an intensive five-day technical coaching course on beach volleyball.
The short but intensive training was staged by the Gambia National Olympics Committee (GNOC) for over 25 coaches, which commenced on Saturday at the Baobab Holiday Resort in Bijilo.
GNOC’s technical director Reverend Mary Pedro-Decker stated during the opening ceremony that the course aimed to help coaches identify challenges and improve, which would go a long way in helping the GVBF.
She expressed hope that after being further equipped through the timely training, they would “raise the bar” for other associations to emulate. “Be active and make good use of the opportunity that is availed to you,” she said.
Gambia Volleyball Federation first vice president Lamin A. Jammeh expressed hope that the knowledge gained from the training would translate into the athletes in the field who are direly in need of the coaches’ expertise to become standard and elite athletes that would perform well in national and international competitions.
“Human development is the cornerstone for development of sport in any country,” he said.
GNOC could not do much without their federation, he added, underscoring the timeliness and significance of the training for the GVBF.
He equally urged the participants to share the knowledge gained, as he extended gratitude to the trainer, Sheikh Muhammed Ben Hamida, for his expertise and effort.
Executive Director of the National Sports Council (NSC), Mahmud Lamin Jawla, who also represented the Ministry of Youth and Sports, noted the significance of the training. “At the heart of the success of any sport is the dedication and expertise of its coaches,” he said, adding that participants of the training have a “unique opportunity” before them.
He also extended his gratitude to the trainer, saying the effort of the participants could leave a lasting legacy in volleyball in The Gambia.
Trainer Sheikh Muhammed Ben thanked the GNOC for the opportunity accorded to him to help develop volleyball coaches and, by extension, Gambian volleyball.
He delved into leadership, commitment and engagement, saying the focus is on developing leaders and not just coaches.
Also, he disclosed that he would select top ten participants, after the training, which would conclude with an examination, for a free one-year course.
Yorro Njie, secretary general of the GNOC, urged the coaches to make best use of the knowledge gained from the training, placing special emphasis on strengthening volleyball not only at the national level but also at the grassroots level.
