Beijing, China – July 31, 2025
A delegation from The Gambia, facilitated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is currently in Beijing participating in a two-week Seminar on Competitive Sports Training Management for Developing Countries, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and co-organized by the Academy of International Business Officials (AIBO) and China Sports International Company (CSIC).
The seminar officially kicked off with an opening ceremony on July 31, 2025, where Mr. Mahmoud Lamin Jawla, Acting Executive Director of the Gambia National Sports Council, delivered the keynote address on behalf of all participating countries.
The speech was delivered in the presence of high-level Chinese officials including Mr. Fan Kai, Deputy General Manager of CSIC, Mr. Wu Jianpeng, Manager of CSIC’s Training Department, and Mr. Pang Sen, Program Assistant, along with delegates from Grenada, Iraq, Kenya, Laos, Lesotho, and Tajikistan.
“It is with profound honor and immense enthusiasm that I stand before you today,” Mr. Jawla began. “On behalf of all participants gathered here, and especially the delegation from The Gambia, I extend our deepest gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for this exceptional opportunity.”
Mr. Jawla described China’s hosting of the seminar as a clear reflection of its commitment to global sporting development and South-South cooperation, calling the event “an unparalleled learning environment” for nations with emerging sports sectors.
Highlighting the challenges many developing countries face—including limited resources, lack of sports science integration, and underdeveloped athlete management systems—Mr. Jawla set the tone for the seminar’s ambitious agenda.
He outlined four key expectations shared by all delegates:
1. Knowledge Transfer – Learning from China’s advanced athlete development models, talent identification systems, and scientific training methods.
2. Management Excellence – Gaining insights on running high-performance programs with limited resources and establishing solid coaching and administrative structures.
3. Sustainable Pathways – Exploring long-term strategies to nurture talent from grassroots to elite levels while ensuring athlete welfare and legacy building.
4. Building Bridges – Creating international networks among countries facing similar challenges in sports development.
“For The Gambia, the smallest nation on the African mainland, this opportunity resonates with particular significance,” Mr. Jawla noted. “Sport is not just recreation; it is a powerful force for national unity, youth development, and international recognition.”
He praised the resilience of Gambian youth athletes and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to unlocking their full potential through the expertise gained during this seminar.
“From the smiling coast of Africa, we thank you for extending this hand of partnership and knowledge,” he said, emphasizing that China’s generosity represents “an investment in our young people, in our national pride, and in the shared future of global sport.”
The Gambian delegation is expected to engage in lectures, field visits, and technical sessions covering elite athlete development, sports medicine, management systems, and innovation in training. The program runs through mid-August 2025 and will provide delegates with both theoretical knowledge and practical exposure to China’s sporting infrastructure.
As the seminar progresses, The Gambia joins other nations in reaffirming their readiness to harness new knowledge and apply it to shape the future of sports back home.
“Let us return to our countries empowered not just with certificates,” Mr. Jawla concluded, “but with actionable strategies, renewed inspiration, and a strengthened network of support.”
Sara Camara
Communication & PR Manager
National Sports Council