Gambia to Develop on Rugby Soon as 38 Youths Trained

Monday, February 16, 2009
As part of increasing the number of sporting disciplines in the country, 38 young people from different schools and organizations were trained on the basic techniques of Rugby.

The training, which took place over the weekend at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, was meant to promote the development of Rugby in the Gambian sporting arena.

Mr. Bai Abdoulie Cham, the Rugby Development Officer cum Secretary General of the interim committee told Pointsport that Rugby was introduced in The Gambia by one Samuel Emeka, a Nigerian national, in a bid to increase the number of disciplines in the country.

“We were trained by Samuel for about one year and since then we can play the game on our own,” he added.

He commended Mrs. Magrette Medland and group of technicians for their support in running the course and other technical assistance. Mrs Magrette Medland, facilitator of the programme, stated that the group is rendering this support through the Kent Rugby in UK, Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Development Trust

She expressed her intention of coming back to the Gambia by next year to provide technical assistance to Rugby clubs.

According to Mrs Medland, the level of awareness on Rugby in the Gambia was very low and expressed hope that the training will help develop many young talents to represent the Gambia at international levels.

“We will get in touch with the African Development Rugby officer based in South Africa to support Gambia Rugby,” she promised.

Author: Alieu Jabang
Source: Picture: Rugby, mactch in action