After the successful hosting of the Nayconf in December 2008 in Farafenni, the Department of State for Youth and Sports under the leadership of Honourable Sheriff ML Gomez, staff and members of the national organising committee for the national youth conference and festival (NAYCONF) have extended their heartfelt appreciation, gratitude, and compliments to all those who contributed towards the successful hosting of NAYCONF 2008.

The sentiments were expressed in a letter obtained by the Daily Observer. According to the letter, those contributions "whether financial or material, helped us a long way in accomplishing one of our tasks as the department of state responsible for youth and sports development".

The letter also added that "special thanks go to HE, the president of the Republic, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, for yet another benevolent gift during the NAYCONF". The department of state also used the opportunity to assure the young people and all stakeholders that it will do everything within its mandate - in collaboration with other sectors - to see the implementations of the 2008 NAYCONF resolutions in the short, medium and long term.

The letter ended on the note that "this office craves the support and active participation of the young people and all stakeholders in our quest to achieve excellence in youth and sports development".