2025 GNOC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
28th December 2025 Baobab Holiday Resort
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
Executive Director NSC
Honorary President of the GNOC
Former Secretary General of the GNOC
Members of the General Assembly
Members of the GNOC Executive Board
Chairpersons of Commissions and Committees of the GNOC
President of SJAG
Management and Staff of the GNOC
Distinguished Delegates
Members of the Press and Invited Observers
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to this historic General Assembly—the first under my leadership as President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC). When you entrusted us with this mandate in November last year premised on our electoral manifesto (Ten Pillars), we pledged to strengthen governance, empower athletes, and foster partnerships that would elevate sports in The Gambia. During the year, we made significant progress in delivering on those promises.
Relationship With International Partners
Olympic Solidarity
The GNOC continues to enjoy a strong and productive relationship with Olympic Solidarity (OS), the funding arm of the IOC for NOCs. It is important to note that 90% of NOC programs are supported by Olympic Solidarity, facilitating initiatives such as athlete development, coach education, capacity building for sports administrators, and the overall functioning of the GNOC. As a new Board, we started by reviewing OS programs to ensure we maximize the opportunities available for sports development and enhance administrative capacity for effective governance. I can report that we increased the number of funding opportunities obtained from Olympic Solidarity. The new addition includes Athletes Commission project for 2025. The details of this information will reflect in our subsequent Financial Report.
Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)
Our membership in ANOCA remains highly beneficial, and we continue to honor and actively participate in its programs. In collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOY&S), the GNOC successfully facilitated The Gambia’s participation in the African School Games and Africa Youth Games held in Algeria and in Angola respectively. We have also participated in ANOCA General Assemblies in Algeria and in Angola during the course of the year. We have also secured Olympic Solidarity funding for the renovation of the Olympic House through approval from ANOCA. This renovation is expected to uplift the image of the GNOC office building and create a modern, conducive environment for sports administration.
Commonwealth Sports
The Gambia remains fully engaged in the programs and activities of Commonwealth Sports. Among the notable achievements, the GNOC secured a grant to support athlete qualification, competition, and preparation for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to take place in Scotland from 23 July to 2 August 2026. In the coming year, the GNOC will work closely with the Government to develop and implement a clear roadmap for The Gambia’s successful participation in these Games. The GNOC have successfully participated in the Commonwealth
Sports 2025 General Assembly which was held in Glasgow, Scotland.
Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA)
The Gambia successfully participated in the 2024 ISSA General Assembly held in
Tirana, Albania. Engagements during this session led to a high-profile visit in the Gambia by the ISSA Secretary General from the 16th to 17th February 2025. During this Visit, strategic meetings were held with the Hon. Minister of Youths and Sports and the GNOC Board. The GNOC is now represented in the ISSA Sports
Commission and more critically in the Maiden ISSA Athletes Commission.
ANOCA Zone ll
We have participated in the Elective General Assembly of ANOCA Zone ll held in Bamako, Mali. The GNOC President was elected as a Board Member for the quadrennial during the elections.
OlympAfrica International Foundation
The GNOC continues to strengthen its partnership with the OlympAfrica Foundation to ensure that the Serrekunda East Centre is equipped with the necessary operational tools to deliver effective community services and serve as a talent development hub for National Associations. A new management committee has been established to work with the new leadership at the Centre.
Looking Ahead
The year 2025 has been one of progress and resilience. We have taken the following significant steps toward achieving our strategic objectives, and these efforts will serve as a strong foundation for the reforms and initiatives planned for this quadrennial (2025-2028):
• Promotion of Good Governance and Administration
In 2025, we laid a strong foundation for good governance and transparency.
We convened more than four Board meetings and six Management meetings. The Financial Manual which is a critical document for the management of the organization finances was reviewed and amended by the Board to ensure financial compliance and efficiency.
In the beginning of our mandate, the GNOC organized a comprehensive induction program for our Board members. The session was designed to familiarize the new leadership with the Olympic Charter, governance principles, and operational procedures of the Committee. It provided an opportunity to align our vision with international best practices, strengthen our understanding of roles and responsibilities, and reinforce our commitment to transparency and accountability. This induction marks an important step in building a cohesive and informed leadership team capable of driving the
Olympic Movement forward in The Gambia.
A major highlight was the Stakeholder Alignment Retreat held with you the member federations. The objective was to provide an overview of GNOC’s activities, achievements, and challenges, and to discuss strategic priorities moving forward. This retreat served as an invaluable platform for dialogue, alignment on shared goals, and information sharing on funding opportunities available through GNOC to support athlete development and federation programs.
During this session, we announced and agreed on the allocation of D25,000 for all National Federations, accompanied by clear and detailed guidelines on application processes, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements. This initiative reflects our commitment to transparency and accountability. To date, more than 10 National Federations have benefited from this allocation, while others are still working to meet the minimum criteria set for the grant.
To enhance governance and operational efficiency, specific roles have been assigned to the 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, reducing the workload on the President and Secretary General and ensuring effective Board and management functioning. A number of critical GNOC Commissions and Committees including the Athletes Commission have been set up and inaugurated to help in strengthening the governance structure of our institution. Chairpersons were invited and are present here today to witness this General Assembly.
In strengthening the Secretariat, we deployed the former Director of the OlympAfrica Centre to the GNOC Secretariat to reinforce the Technical Department, and appointed a new Director of the OlympAfrica Centre. Additionally, we introduced an internship program to support our small but dedicated team in delivering the Board’s strategic priorities.
Support to National Associations and Federations
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is widely acknowledged that our National Federations and Associations face significant challenges in managing their respective sports. These challenges stem from limited access to facilities, financial constraints, inadequate sponsorship, and, most importantly, gaps in governance practices as required by the IOC. To address these issues, there is an urgent need to revisit our policies and strategies to create a responsive system that promotes and sustains excellence in Gambian sports.
Our commitment to supporting National Associations and Federations has been unwavering. In 2025, we provided technical assistance to federations and direct financial support of more than GMD 2 million, enabling participation in your association’s own initiatives programs, including international competitions and meetings that will increase athlete’s performance.
Promotion of Diversity, and Women in Sports
Diversity and women in sports remain central to our mission. This year, three women were nominated to serve on the GNOC Executive Board raising the number to 4 women in the Board membership (IOC 30%). Women have also been nominated to serve as chairpersons of key commissions including the
Athletes and Legal commissions.
To enhance collaboration, periodic meetings with National Federations and Associations will be reactivated, ensuring two-way communication and regular briefing sessions on all aspects of sports development. These sessions will also serve as platforms for sharing information and best practices.
In 2025, the GNOC launched several commissions and committees to serve as technical arms supporting the Board in achieving its strategic objectives. These bodies were established in line with the Olympic Charter and international best practices, ensuring specialized expertise in critical areas. Among them are the Athletes’ Commission, Constitutional Review Commission, legal Commission, Women in Sport Commission, Environment and Sustainability Commission, OlympAfrica Management Committee, Medical and Anti-Doping Commission, and the Marketing and Communications Committee. Their mandate is to provide technical guidance, enhance transparency, and strengthen operational efficiency, thereby reinforcing our commitment to good governance and the holistic development of sports in The Gambia.
Activities with International Partners
We proudly celebrated the 2025 Olympic Day in Basse, which attracted over 500 participants, our intention is to gradually extend this initiative to all five regions of The Gambia. The overarching goal is to leave behind a lasting legacy—empowering regional communities to organize the program annually. This initiative aims to promote healthy lifestyles, encourage community participation in sports, and contribute to reducing the health burden on the government. By fostering these values, we seek to create a culture of wellness and inclusivity that resonates far beyond the event itself.
The King’s Baton Relay, which engaged communities nationwide and showcased our commitment to Commonwealth values leading to Glasgow 2026 Sports was organized this year. The event that was chaired by our able 2nd Vice President began with an inauguration ceremony in Banjul, graced by the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, the Minister of Youth and Sports, alongside the British High Commissioner in The Gambia. School children, athletes, and community members participated actively, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrated unity and sportsmanship.
Beyond its ceremonial significance, the relay incorporated environmental and social impact initiatives, such as a beach cleansing exercise aimed at preventing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability. This effort aligned with the Commonwealth’s vision of using sport as a force for positive change.
The King’s Baton Relay not only strengthened The Gambia’s visibility within the Commonwealth sporting community but also reinforced our commitment to inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and the promotion of Olympic and Commonwealth values.
Partnership with Government and International Stakeholders On behalf of the Olympic and Sports Movement in The Gambia, I extend sincere appreciation to His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Sports Council for creating an enabling environment for sports development and fostering a strong working relationship with the GNOC.
This collaboration has already yielded dividends, as demonstrated by our athletes’ participation in the African School Games in Algeria, the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, and the ANOCA Youth Games in Angola, where The Gambia proudly fielded over 40 athletes. It is also worth noting that the GNOC received significant financial support from the Government to facilitate participation in these Games. During these games, the country registered significant medal count. Algeria School Games (12 medals (3 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze) ) Islamic Solidarity Games(1 medal) and Africa Youth Games ( 3 medals)
On the sidelines of the recently ended Islamic Games, the GNOC strengthened its international partnerships by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the National Olympic Committees of Saudi Arabia and Iran. These agreements aim to foster collaboration in key areas such as athlete development, technical training, sports science, and exchange programs.
Through these partnerships, we seek to leverage shared expertise and resources to enhance the capacity of our athletes and administrators, positioning The Gambia to benefit from global best practices in sports management and performance.
Supporting and Advancing Athletes’ Careers
Athlete training and development remain the primary focus of the GNOC as we prepare athletes for the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Islamic
Games, and other international competitions.
For the first time, the Athletes Commission was formed through an election process and is now working closely with the GNOC Secretariat and the IOC Athletes’ programs. I am pleased to announce that the Commission has secured $10,000 to kick-start its first engagement in January 2026.
Additionally, the allocation of Olympic scholarships has increased to eight athletes, a strategic move aimed at boosting The Gambia’s chances of qualifying for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
• Financial Management
Financially, we have made commendable progress by improving on our Financial Management which has cleared our bank overdrafts, debt obligations lowered significantly, while benefiting from exchange gains that stabilized our operations. You may be aware that among the commissions launched included the Marketing Commission to help in supporting the technical capacity of the NOC and also to increase funding streams.
| Page
As we look ahead to 2026, let us renew our commitment to uphold the highest standards of good governance, empower our athletes, and strengthen partnerships that will elevate The Gambia to new heights on the global sporting stage.
In line with the IOC governance framework, we have initiated discussions to establish a Minimum Governance Standard for the Gambia NOC and its constituents. This framework will ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity across our sports ecosystem. Once finalized, it will serve as the operational guideline for the NOC and all National Federations and Associations recognized by The Gambia NOC.
Following the successful launch of various GNOC commissions and committees, we will soon commence a comprehensive constitutional review, guided by the principles of the Olympic Charter. This process requires the full support and active participation of all stakeholders. Once completed, it will provide a strong foundation for our members to review and align their own constitutions accordingly.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to our stakeholders, the Olympic and Sports Movement, the Executive Board and our dedicated staff for their unwavering support. We will continue to engage each of you individually, leveraging your expertise to ensure that the NOC reflects the values we all cherish.
I also extend heartfelt appreciation to the print and electronic media for their vital role in disseminating information and promoting our shared vision.
Thank you all for your trust, support, and commitment. Together, let us build a stronger, more inclusive Olympic Movement for The Gambia.
| Page
