The President (Mr. Bai Dodou Jallow) and Secretary General (Mr. Yorro Njie) of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) today (28th November 2025) paid a courtesy visit to the Gambia High Commission in London, United Kingdom, as part of their official engagement programme in the UK. The GNOC delegation was received at the High Commission’s offices at 57 Kensington Street by the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Sulayman Suntou Touray, and the High Commissioner of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Dr Fatou Bom Bensouda, a distinguished international jurist and diplomat, former Female Vice President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee, and current High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
The purpose of the visit was to formally brief the High Commissioner on recent developments within the Commonwealth Sport Movement following the election of a new leadership. In this regard, the GNOC delegation informed her of the election of Dr Donald Rukare, an experienced sports administrator and human rights lawyer from Uganda, as the new President of Commonwealth Sport.
During the meeting, the President of the GNOC briefed the High Commissioner on the new strategic direction of Commonwealth Sport and discussed The Gambia’s level of preparedness towards participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland. He further explored potential areas of collaboration between the Office of the High Commissioner and the GNOC, working through the relevant line ministries, while also formally recognising her continued role within the Olympic family of the GNOC.
The engagement also touched on strategic interaction with the Gambian community in both England and Scotland before and during the games, as well as strengthening links with Commonwealth Sports structures through the High Commission. The visit provided an opportunity to formally acknowledge the High Commissioner’s past service to Gambian sport as former Female Vice President of the GNOC, reaffirming that she remains an integral part of the national and global Olympic family, and appreciating her sustained support to sports development.
Discussions were also held on her possible appointment as a Goodwill Sports Ambassador, with a proposed scope that would include promoting The Gambia on global sports platforms, supporting bids to host international sporting events, championing athlete welfare, safeguarding and women in sport, and strengthening international institutional cooperation.
The High Commissioner expressed her appreciation to the GNOC delegation for their vision in expanding international partnerships and recognising past efforts. She emphasised the importance of sport as a powerful tool for peace, unity, dialogue and reconciliation, noting its ability to bridge divided communities and promote shared values through healthy competition.
Reflecting on her tenure as Vice President of the GNOC, Dr. Bensouda recalled her contributions at both national and international levels, particularly in advancing women in sports and sports diplomacy. She expressed satisfaction that the current GNOC leadership is sustaining these foundations while shifting towards more contemporary approaches to sports governance and administration.
Beyond her global reputation in international law and diplomacy, Dr. Bensouda has made notable contributions to sports governance and development in The Gambia, particularly in promoting women’s participation, integrity in sports administration, and sports diplomacy. She continues to serve as a critical bridge between Gambian sport, the Commonwealth, and the global Olympic Movement.
The visit forms part of GNOC’s broader international engagement strategy, aimed at strengthening The Gambia’s visibility and strategic positioning within the Commonwealth, the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association, and the Olympic Movement.
