The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) has officially opened a five-day Sports Medicine Course for medical personnel attached to National Sports Associations and Federations at the GNOC House on monday , 19th october.
The training aims to strengthen sports medicine knowledge, improve athlete welfare, promote injury prevention, and enhance the quality of medical support available to athletes across The Gambia.
GNOC LEADERSHIP EMPHASISES CAPACITY BUILDING
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Muhammed Lamin Touray, Secretary General of the GNOC Medical Commission and Course Coordinator, thanked the GNOC for providing the opportunity to organise the training.
He urged participants to be proactive, engage fully in the sessions, and make the most of the knowledge and practical skills being shared throughout the course.
GNOC Board Member Abdoulie Kah also highlighted the importance of the initiative, reaffirming the Committee’s commitment to strengthening sports medicine and improving athlete welfare through capacity-building programmes.
Meanwhile, the Acting Executive Director of the Gambia National Sports Council, Mahmoud Lamin Jawla, reaffirmed the government’s support for initiatives aimed at developing sports in The Gambia.
He encouraged participants to apply the skills and knowledge acquired during the training to improve medical support services within their respective National Sports Associations and Federations.
SPORTS SCIENCE, REHABILITATION AND NUTRITION
The five-day course has brought together specialists in sports science, sports medicine, rehabilitation, and related fields to share their expertise and contribute to the professional development of sports medical personnel.
Among the experts contributing to the programme are Pa Abdoulie Ann of Befit Trainer, an international Strength and Conditioning Coach, Physiotherapist, and Sports Psychologist, who highlighted areas for improvement in sports rehabilitation, including sports medicine.
Also contributing to the training is Mamour M. Mbenga, popularly known as Kifa, Founder of Gorilla Sports Fitness. An internationally certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Sports Rehabilitation Specialist, he delivered lectures on Strength and Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, and Exercise Science.
Their contributions form part of the wider effort to improve the understanding and application of sports science principles, rehabilitation practices, and athlete-centred approaches to performance and injury prevention.
FOCUS ON SPORTS MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Other components of the curriculum focused on essential sports medicine knowledge and practical skills required to manage medical emergencies in sporting environments and safeguard athlete welfare.
Participants attended a series of important sessions delivered by Muhammed Lamin Kebbeh of the Gambia Red Cross Society and Dr Muhammed Lamin Touray.
The sessions covered several critical areas, including:
🔹 Emergency Action Planning (EAP)
🔹 Emergency Action Planning (EAP) Workshop
🔹 Concussion Recognition and Management
🔹 Practical Concussion Scenarios
🔹 Sudden Cardiac Arrest
🔹 Medical Emergencies and Emergency Response
The sessions combined theoretical instruction with practical scenarios designed to strengthen participants’ ability to recognise medical emergencies, respond effectively, and provide appropriate support to athletes when urgent medical attention is required.
STRENGTHENING ATHLETE WELFARE THROUGH SPORTS MEDICINE
The course reflects the Gambia National Olympic Committee’s continued commitment to promoting athlete welfare, improving sports medicine knowledge, preventing injuries, and strengthening the capacity of medical personnel serving National Sports Associations and Federations.
By equipping participants with relevant knowledge and practical skills, the initiative seeks to contribute to safer sporting environments and improved medical support for athletes across the country.
