In their drive to establish recommendations for the full participation of women in sports, the Women in Sports Committee of the Gambia National Olympic Committee, on Saturday 18th November organised a National Policy Forum for Women and Sports at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The forum, which brought together government officials, Civil society, Private Sector, NGO, United Nations System, Women Groups, Sports Associations and Journalists was attended by Ms Katia Mascagni, the Head of International Organisations Relations and Cooperation at the International Olympic Committee [IOC].

The aim of the Forum is to establish recommendations on the full promotion and participation of Women in Sports. Speaking at the Forum, The Chairperson of GNOC Women in Sports Committee and first Vice President of GNOC Ms Beatrice Allen said that GNOC have instituted a strategy for mainstreaming women in sports by establishing a Women and Sports Committees in all seven Divisions of the country and these committees are charged with the responsibility to form sporting structures, at the village, District and Divisional levels.

“It is envisaged that by the end of year 2007, all the Divisions would have set up their Committees, register their associations and the Women league launched” she revealed. Presenting a paper on the Role of the Private Sector in the promotion of Women Sports, the President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bai Mataar Drammeh Said that Gambian private sector has been the main sponsor of sports in the Gambia, but has been quite invisible.

On behave of the Private Sector Mr. Drammeh made a declaration of commitment to the Women in Sports of the Gambia.

Presenting a Paper on IOC Policy and strategy on Women and Sports development, Ms Katia Mascagni said that lot of achievement have been made in the promotion of women in sports since the then president of IOC Samarach initiated it in 1981.

In added that in the level of advocacy. 20 seminars in 5 continents were held since the first policy concept was established in 1985 at the IOC centennial congress. Ms Mascagni acknowledged that despite many successes they are still facing major challenges such as better recognisation of Women role models work with the media. Commitment from government to maintain physical education in school settings and invest in Women’s sport.

Ebou Joof, the deputy permanent sectary at the department of state for youth, sports and religious affairs presented a paper on Government policy and strategy on Women and sports development while George Gomez dilated on the report on the implementation of the 1998 Women and sports seminar recommendations. Dr Alieu Gai and Lamin Cham on behave of Peter Gomez presented papers on Sports and Women’s Health and The Media and Women’s Sports respectively.

Recommendations were established at the end of the Forum.