Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the president of the Republic of the Gambia, on Tuesday officially presided over the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games Federation 2008 general assembly at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.

The opening ceremony and state banquet, which was hosted by President Jammeh, brought together delegates from 71 Commonwealth Games associations. Speaking at the state banquet, President Jammeh welcomed Honourable Michael Fennel, the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), members of the executive board, delegates, observers and accompanying spouses to the Smiling Coast of Africa, The Gambia.

He expressed his delight with the CGF’s unanimous decision to hold the 2008 General Assembly in the Gambia, describing her as the smallest country in the Commonwealth. “Your decision to hold this important assembly on our shores lends credence to the fundamental virtues of your esteemed federation, that is destiny, humanity and equality.

Holding your assembly in one of your smallest member countries on the African continent certainly confirms your commitment to these core values and encourages us to further consolidate the bonds of friendship and mutual solidarity that binds us together as members of the Commonwealth,” Dr Jammeh observed.

The Gambia is renowned for her peacefulness. President Jammeh thus called on the delegates to take time off their schedule and utilise this golden opportunity to savour the renowned hospitality of the Gambia and Gambians during their stay in this touristic country, the homeland of Kunta Kinteh.

“My government is indeed very passionate about excellence in sports and has made a deliberate and conscious effort to mainstream sports into our national blue print for accelerated socio-economic transformation, commonly referred to as Vision 2020. 

This has been further articulated in our national sports policy and plan of action with the objective of integrating sports into national development anchored on the goals of promoting decentralisation and mass participation in sports countrywide, promoting sports for the attainment and maintance of good health and as a strong tool for youth development, amongst others,” the Gambian leader disclosed.

In the quest to promote national unity and foster international understanding, President Jammeh added, the government of The Gambia is convinced that sports is the most veritable vehicle in achieving solidarity and cohesion in the world.

“As a young and vibrant nation, we in the Gambia believe in the virtues of the Commonwealth Games Federation and commend you for the significant strides you continue to make in the promotion of the Commonwealth through sports and youth development.

Your federation is a practical manifestation of the Commonwealth in motion and indeed in action as exemplified by the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Commonwealth Games that are held every four years,” President Jammeh added.

He wish them success in their deliberations and also prayed that the Commonwealth Games Federation will grow from strength to strength. President Jammeh additionally presented an amount of D100,000 to the Gambia National Olympic Committee during the state banquet. Speaking earlier, Alhagie Abou Dandeh Njie, the president of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), welcomed the delegates to The Gambia.

He commended President Jammeh for promoting sports especially at the international level. According to Njie, President Jammeh’s supports cannot be overemphasised. Sheriff ML Gomez, the secretary of state for Youths and Sports, told the gathering that the Gambia is now recognised worldwide in the area of sports especially in athletics.

The youth and sports SoS disclosed that his department, in collaboration with the GNOC, has set up a mission of excellence to promote sports in The Gambia. SoS Gomez finally thanked President Jammeh for supporting Gambian sports and for putting the youths of this country in the frontline of his development agenda.

Honourable Micheal Fennes, the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation revealed that the Gambia started participating in the Commonwealth Games in 1970.  He expressed delight at the warm welcome accorded to them by the Gambian authorities since their arrival.

Honourable Fennes also spoke at length on the rapid development that has been registered by President Jammeh, especially in sports, since he took over the country’s leadership. He revealed that preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in New Delhi, India, are in high gear.

Hon Michael Fennis also presented gifts to president Jammeh to show his appreciation of the Gambian leader’s efforts in the promotion of national unity and development especially in the area of sports.