A seven-member delegation from the National Patriotic Students Association (NAPSA) yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sheriff Gomez at his office in Banjul.

The visit by the delegation, which comprised the newly elected executive committee members, was meant to acquaint them with the Minister; hence NAPSA engages in youth and sports activities at school level.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Modou Sowe, the President of NAPSA told the Youth and Sports Minister that they have future plans to launch a magazine where issues affecting young people will be discussed. Among the topics to be covered, he added, will include illegal migration, drug abuse, and importance of education, among others.

He also told Minister Gomez that his association has in recent past organised various symposia, aimed at enlightening students and young people in addressing challenges facing them in diverse areas.

For her part, Jabou Dampha, the Chief Technical Adviser reminded the Minister that youths are the future leaders of tomorrow, noting that not only education can bring all, but sports is part and parcel of school extra-curriculum activities.

According to her, education does not only mean sitting in classrooms, but to explore other experiences of life. She added that skills learning can also give young people chance to live a decent life.

In response to the comments made by the students, Mr. Sheriff Gomez, the Minister of Youth and Sports assured the students of his office’s continuous support to NAPSA at all times. He urged the students to promote patriotism and contribute towards national development. He also urged them to review some of their programmes to enable them continue serving the students of this country when the need arises.

Mr. Gomez also commended NAPSA for their contributions to national development, adding that the association has a role to play in nation-building.

He spoke at length on issues, such as summer beaches, calling on NAPSA to organise summer camps where young people can learn from diverse areas of life.

For his part, Mambanjick Njie, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, expressed similar sentiment, and urged the youths to engage in sports and skills acquisition.

Other speakers included John Sambou, the Public Relations Officer of NAPSA, Samba Baldeh, Regional Co-ordinator of Banjul and Aminata LB Ceesay.