Banjul, The Gambia — Monday, September 1st, 2025
The Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, on Monday presided over the official opening ceremony of the CAVB Beach Volleyball International Referee Candidate Course (IRCC) at the Baobab Hotel Resort in Bijilo. The high-profile event, which runs from 31st August to 8th September 2025, brings together referees, trainers, and delegates from across Africa to strengthen the technical capacity of referees to international standards.
In his opening remarks, Minister Badjie warmly welcomed all delegates, including the Secretary General of the African Volleyball Federation (CAVB), as well as the international training participants, to The Gambia—famously known as the “Smiling Coast of Africa.”
“We are happy that The Gambia is doing well at the continental level, not just in participation but also in efforts to position the country as a destination to visit, conduct activities, and to host sporting events like this,” he said.
The minister commended the leadership of the Gambia Volleyball Federation for its remarkable achievements in recent years, noting in particular the strong performances registered in Nigeria and Algeria over the past two months. He emphasized that such accomplishments not only boost The Gambia’s reputation but also serve as a significant milestone for the African continent.
He further highlighted the importance of the referee training program, describing it as a rigorous exercise designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of referees.
“As referees, you play a critical role in ensuring that sports become economically viable in our countries and communities, while also supporting young people. This training will help participants make decisions that are fair, professional, and in the best interest of the athletes, ultimately supporting the continued development of volleyball,” he added.
Organized by the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) in collaboration with the Gambia Volleyball Federation, the course aims to empower referees with the necessary technical expertise to meet international standards, thereby raising the quality of officiating across Africa.
The ceremony was attended by the Acting Executive Director of National Sports Council Mahmoud L Jawla, senior officials from Gambia National Olympic Committee, the Gambia Volleyball Federation, and representatives of the CAVB, alongside a diverse group of participants.
As the program unfolds, participants will undergo intensive training sessions, guided by international instructors, with the objective of producing referees capable of officiating beach volleyball at the highest level.