Basse, URR, June 21, 2025
“Let’s Move?” together for more motivation, community and joy
Hon. Samba Bah: Governor URR and Host of this year’s Olympic Day Celebration
Mr. Bakary Jammeh: GNOC 2nd Vice President and Chairman of today's event
Mr. Lamin Sonko: Regional Director, Regional Education Directorate Six
GNOC Executive Board Members
The Representative of the Ministry Of Basic and Secondary Education
The Representative of the Minister of Youths and Sports
Heads and Representatives of the various Institutions here Present
Representatives of the various Media Houses
PE teachers and School children
Distinguished Guests
Boys and Girls
We are gathered here today in celebration of another Olympic Day. Today we commemorate the founding of the Modern Olympic Movement.
Boys and Girls, Distinguished Guest, the celebration of Olympic Day continues to create greater awareness of the Olympic Movement and the Ideals of Olympism in The Gambia and the world at large.
Olympic Day is much more than just a sports event. It is a day for you to get active, learn about the Olympic Values, discover new things and in the process discover your true selves.
Olympic Day Celebration is therefore an excellent way to encourage all people regardless of age, gender and ability to lead healthy and active lives; promote the Olympic Values; and the role of sports in society.
“Let’s Move?” is the theme of Olympic Day, the global celebration of sport and getting active that takes place on 23 June each year to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Games in 1894. This year, everyone is encouraged to invite a “+1” to walk, run, dance, skip and move with them.
To quote the WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, “Physical inactivity is a silent global health emergency - one that is shortening lives and straining health systems. Too few people understand its risks, and too many lack the means to change course.
At the same time, social connection is emerging as a serious public health challenge. By promoting inclusive, community-based physical activity, we have a powerful opportunity not only to improve physical health, but also to build social bonds and enhance mental well-being.”
“Let’s Move?” together for more motivation, community and joy
” shines a light on the benefits of playing sport and working out together, celebrating the motivation, community and joy that movement with others brings.
Boys and Girls, Distinguish Guest, Sports is something that can positively contribute to a wide range of shared outcomes which offer real support and contribute to the well-being and quality of life of our diverse communities.
And these inspirational words by Thomas Bach outgoing IOC President affirms. And I gladly quote “Sport is joy, sport brings people together. Sport and physical activity are also the low-cost, high-impact tool for healthy bodies, healthy minds and resilient communities.
We invite people everywhere to experience the joy of sport, and to take a friend along to play sport on Olympic Day and inspire beyond”.
Boys and Girls, Distinguish Guest, “Let’s Move Campaign” will continue beyond Olympic Day, with the ambition, and the support of the Olympic Movement, to keep inspiring and enabling people to move and enjoy physical activity through resources, activations and content.
This campaign is intended to highlight the positive impact that community sport and physical activity have on physical, mental and social health, and contributes to the IOC’s Olympism365 priority area of “Sport, Health and Active Communities”.
Therefore the GNOC and other partners seek to improve the physical and mental health and well-being of young people in general not only athletes through the provision of good, high quality, and innovative, sporting opportunities.
Most especially improve on the encouragement of the involvement of girls and increase opportunities for them. And also raise awareness and create provisions for people with challenges – physical or intellectual.
Here in The Gambia, we join in the global commemoration of yet another Olympic Day. As we all witnessed earlier, Sixteen (16) schools, represented by about 160 young athletes (girls, boys and teachers), have taken part in various Road Runs of (2km, 3km, 4km and 5km) respectively. About 140 participants representing Institutions of all works of life also took part in the Health Walk, and Karate Demonstration.
And so, beautifully put by Kirsty Coventry, the IOC President-Elect: “Some of the most powerful moments in sport happen outside competition. They happen when a teammate joins you on the days you don’t feel like training, when you work together to reach your goals - it’s in the shared effort, the mutual support, the community you build along the way”
On that note, Boys and Girls, the future of Gambian Sports and the aspirants of the National Flag Raisers, I congratulate you for being part of this year 2025 Olympic Day Celebration.
Enjoy the day! Have fun!
To our Esteemed Distinguished Guest, Boys and Girls, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you!
