In November 2008, The Gambia will host the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in Banjul. It will be a week-long meeting of the 71-Member Organization, and will be coordinated by the Gambia National Olympic Committee.

In that connection, the CGF Director of Operations Mr John Eades, has arrived in The Gambia for a four-day bilateral consultation with the GNOC Bureau and Government authorities as part of the strategic planning and preparatory activities required for the hosting of the event.

However, in a bid to keep the media informed about the upcoming event, a press briefing was held on Wednesday  at the  GNOC conference hall.

Speaking at the press briefing Alh Abou Dandeh Njie , President of the GNOC, said the purpose of Mr John  Eades’  visit was to inspect the accommodation facilities and transport arrangements among other things.

He revealed that during Mr Eades’ visit, they called on the office of the Vice-President, officials of the Departments of State for Tourism, Youth and Sports, Foreign Affairs, and the Gambia Tourism Authority.

Mr Njie added that The Gambia government is in support of the forthcoming event.

He said, “presently we have set up local organizing committees in order to work ahead of the event for a successful hosting by The Gambia”.

Director Eades said The Gambia has a lot to benefit from the event adding that it will contribute in boosting the foreign exchange of the country and investment among other things.

The occasion was chaired by George Gomez, Executive Director of the GNOC.