A four-day intensive training course for over 15 Gambian sports journalists, funded by the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) ended on Saturday, April 20, at the Friendship Hostel, Bakau. During the four-day gathering which was conducted in two phases, participants were equipped on basic rules and principles in four sporting disciplines, namely: Volleyball, Handball, Basketball and Tennis.

Namory Trawally, President of the Gambia Sports Journalist Association said Gambian sports journalist will do all they can to promote sports in the country. He said the training course was meant to equip the sports journalist to ensure effective and meaningful reporting. Mr Trawally urged his colleagues to make good use of the knowledge gained from the briefing.

Mr Pap Saine, Managing Director of The Point Newspaper, who doubles as Honourary Life President of the association said sports journalists should be familiar with the principles and practices of different sporting disciplines to ensure that sports, particularly the dormant ones are promoted with ease.

Mrs Beatrice Allen, First Vice President of the GNOC and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said, the initiative comes at an opportune time when Gambian sports have a turn-around in achieving public participation and appreciation with the media at the helm of the affairs in reporting for awareness creation.

She added: “Before the formation of the Gambia Sports Journalists Association, sports journalism was a male-dominated profession, but it is gratifying to note that female sports journalists are mushrooming. It is time to devote part of your sports coverage to women’s sports in order to accord women the right for equal opportunity in sports.

She urged the participants to use the knowledge and experience gained from the session for its desired results of effective reporting for sports and development in The Gambia.