Africa-Press – Gambia. Honourable Bakary Y Badjie, the Minister of Youth and Sports, has assured the public of Gambian government’s strong commitment to developing sports for the benefit of the country’s youth.
Speaking at the opening of the International Referee Candidate Course (IRCC) for beach volleyball at the Baobab Hotel on Monday, Minister Badjie emphasized that sports infrastructure is a key objective of the 2025-2028 sports policy.
“We believe that while an individual can excel in sports, progress will be slow without the proper infrastructure,” he acknowledged.
He announces that volleyball is one of eight major sports that the government plans to develop to international standards, reflecting its popularity among Gambians.
Minister Badjie notes that the training will be rigorous, aiming to build the capacity of referee trainees and enhance their skills and knowledge in beach volleyball, which is critical for the sport’s development across Africa.
He stressed the crucial role of referees in maintaining the integrity of sports. “Referees have the ability to keep a match intact even a simple mistake could blow things in the wrong way and has the potential of causing conflicts or chaos,” he said.
He added that the IRCC training is designed to help referees make correct decisions that are seen as fair by athletes and contribute to the overall development of the game.
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