GThe Gambia Volleyball Association over the weekend held its ordinary congress at The Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The congress was attended by five clubs out of 11 including observers.

During the meeting a marketing committee was formed to help in raising funds for the association in running its activities. The members of the committee are Sam Benjamin Ogoo, Gibril Jarju, Baba Sarr, Unusa Faye and headed by Alhagie Ceesay.

The congress gave them the opportunity to restructure the positions in the executive including the position of treasurer, which is now being occupied by Sam Banjamin Ogoo, Secretary General Bai Dodou Jallow with the introduction of a new position of second Vice President, which went to Amie Khan.

Musa Cassa Taal President of The Gambia Volleyball Association gave an account of the activities undertaken by the association over the years.

His presidential report centered on the biennial report on the GVBA activities, and administration of their sports programmes.

He called on the need to strengthen their unity in facing challenges that the GVBA have been confronted with during the past years.

He said part of the institutional difficulties that they have had to deal with was during the hosting of the Zone II, which he said has been indeed a very difficult moment for the GVBA Executive.

“These challenges have made me more determined than ever to do whatever is best to protect and defend the interests of the GVBA, and in any potential conflict between the GVBA and other interests, I will do what is right for GVBA,” he explained.

He said, “Since our takeover from 2005 we have continued to make remarkable progress at all levels. At this session we will take the opportunity to review this progress and make the necessary plans to maintain the forward momentum. We will also look at how we can best cooperate with those National sporting bodies in which Volleyball have not made the sort of progress which we all hope for. I invite you all to turn the page and concentrate the best of our efforts in building our future having said that, the sanctioned levy against the old Jeshwang volleyball team has been revoked”.

Part of their achievements over the period include the 2005 national league in greater Banjul organized by the GVBA, October 2005,Technical Volleyball cooperation course for young Coaches, November 2005 in conjunction with The Gambia Tourism Authority organized a beach volleyball competed by many Hotels at the Teranga Beach and April 2006. “I attended the CAVB Ordinary session held in Cotonou Benin, during the zonal consultative meeting and I was selected to be the Secretary and Finance Controller of Zone II Volleyball Committee,” he said.

He commended the Director of Gamworks Agency and NAWEC Mr. Abdou Jobe the then Director and a veteran Volleyball player who always comes to their rescue whenever The Gambia volleyball Association solicit support for assistance, also GNOC who are strong partners in development and promotion of volleyball.

He said the Major Constraints faced by his organisation include Finance, Infrastructure and Mobility.