The SoS for Youth, Sports & Religious Affairs, Mr. Sheikh Omar Faye, yesterday received in his office the Executive Committee members of the National Inter-departmental Sports Association (NISA), formerly National Inter-departmental Football Association, and (NIFA).

Speaking at the gathering, Mr. Bakary Darboe, First Vice- President of the association said the purpose of their visit was to brief SoS Faye on the slight changes made in the association, referring to the change of name from National Inter-departmental Football Association, (NIFA) to National Inter-departmental Sports Association (NISA).

Mr. Darboe said the association has deemed it necessary to have a fitting name that covers other sporting disciplines, ranging from Basketball, Volleyball, Wrestling, Tennis and Boxing.

On the objective of the association, Darboe said NISA aims to bring mutual understanding and cooperation among working class and to help promote sports in The Gambia.

Commenting on the plans of the association, Secretary-General of the association, Mr. Saihou Jarju, said since its inception, NISA mainly concentrated on men’s participation, adding that tangible plans are in the pipeline to stage a female tournament soon. He also disclosed plans of establishing a secretariat where all administrative matters of the association can be processed.

For his part, SoS Faye thanked the association for the foresight. He called on them to be united and use sports as a tool to take The Gambia to an unprecedented stage. He also advised sports association to diversify and take on board other sporting activities like volleyball, basketball and other sporting disciplines.

“I think this is one of the right associations that help in doing so,” he said, advising the association to use discipline as an enshrined instrument in their endeavour.