GNOC secured over D2 million Japanese grant

The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy through APL Japan on Monday Feb. 14, 2011 signed a grant agreement for the implementation of the “improvement of sports facilities for youth development project” in the Kanifing Municipal Area.

The event also witnessed the singing of two other projects under the Japanese Grant, “the construction of SOS Children’s Village Bakoteh Multi-purpose Centre (49,067 Euro) and the Project for the Improvement of Agriculture Environment (70, 803 Euro) under the auspices of Gambia is Good Concern Universal.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Olympic House on Bertil Hardington Highway, Mile 7, Kanifing, the newly elected President of the GNOC Alhagie Momodou Dibba said the agreement will allow the Olympic Committee to receive 60, 808 Euros assigned to purchase 8 complete Home Gym, 4 Rowing machines, 8 Treadmills, 4 X Trainner, 4 Exercise Bicycles, 5 Sets Barbell/Dunbell, 6 Gravity Strider, 6 Karate Mats, and 200 Karate Protection.

“Through this project, Japan intends to help promote Judo and Karate as well to ease the access of Gambia population to sport facilities and good health in the country,” he said.

The SOS project, according to H.E. Otake aims at implementing vocational and literacy trainings among other activities for the vulnerable children and the population in general.

Beatrice Allen, the 1^st Vice President of the GNOC and a Member of International Olympic Committee (OIC) noted that the initiative came as a result of their meeting with the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee in Berlin, Germany.

She said during her discussion with the Japanese Olympic Committee, Mr. Takeira agreed to support Gambian sports with the provision of a container of equipment which was distributed to various sporting associations in 2009. Source: The Voice