The National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) Sports Committee, led by the Acting Executive Director of the National Sports Council, Mr. Mahmoud L. Jawla, held its inaugural technical meeting on Monday evening at the Charles Jaw Memorial Academy in Bundung. The meeting, attended by regional representatives from across the country, marked a significant milestone in preparations for the much-anticipated NAYCONF 2024 sporting activities.
The session began with a comprehensive review of the rules and regulations governing key sports disciplines, including football, volleyball, basketball, athletics, and wrestling. Technical administrators responsible for each discipline meticulously outlined the guidelines and provided regional representatives with official documents to ensure smooth implementation and compliance throughout the games. This proactive effort underscores the committee’s dedication to ensuring fair play, standardization, and competitive excellence during the tournament.
A major highlight of the evening was the football group draw, which revealed the matchups for the regional teams. The groupings are as follows:
Football Groupings:
• Group A: Kanifing, Central River Region (CRR), Lower River Region (LRR), West Coast Region (WCR)
• Group B: Banjul, Upper River Region (URR), North Bank Region (NBR)
The official opening of the sporting events is set for Today, 17th December 2024, with an action-packed program featuring competitions in football (male and female), volleyball (male and female), and basketball (male and female). The competitions will be hosted at the Serekunda East Mini Stadium and the Serekunda West Mini Stadium, providing a vibrant platform for the regions to showcase their athletic talents.
Meanwhile, wrestling matches will be held at the Bova Zone, promising to deliver excitement and highlight the cultural significance of the sport. Athletics events, on the other hand, will take place at Abuko School, where some of The Gambia’s best track and field talents will compete for regional pride and glory.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Mahmoud L. Jawla, Chair of the NAYCONF Sports Committee, announced a groundbreaking addition to this year’s festival: a demonstration match of amputee football. He emphasized that the inclusion of amputee football reflects NAYCONF’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities for all athletes, regardless of physical ability.
Also present was the Chairman of the National Sports Council, Mr. Lamin S. Jawara, who delivered an inspiring message to the regional representatives. He urged all teams to approach the competitions with maturity, discipline, and decorum, while reminding participants that sportsmanship, unity, and fair play remain central to NAYCONF’s mission. Mr. Jawara further encouraged the regions to use the platform to showcase their collective spirit of youth empowerment and national pride.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with regional representatives expressing their readiness and determination to make NAYCONF 2024 an unforgettable success. With venues now set, preparations complete, and excitement in the air, all eyes turn to the Serekunda East and West Mini Stadiums, Bova Zone, and Abuko School, where thrilling competitions are set to unfold.