The National Organising Committee, NOC, of the national youth conference and festival Nayconf said yesterday that all is set for the grand opening of the 2007 edition in Basse on Friday.
Over 1000 delegates, from all seven regions will be in attendance for a week of discussion and sporting activities. A source in Basse said advance parties from some regions are already on the ground
According to the NOC, each region has been allowed to bring 175 delegates mainly because the sports events will require each region to fill a team in different disciplines.
As part of preparations, the NOC has given each region some D75,000 to help them boost their financial footing. In addition, the NOC is catering for the accommodation and feeding of all official participants.
Marcel Mendy of the National Sport Council said the official delegation from the NSC will move to Basse on Wednesday but already both the local and national organising committees have been doing a fantastic job in preparing the ground for the event. He said there will be competitions in wrestling, football, volleyball, draft and athletics.
Also cultural performances will be done alongside quiz and debates among the regions. Of course the national conference itself will also be part of the programme, Mendy said.
Meanwhile unofficial sources have told The Standard that youths are expecting President Barrow to attend but cannot confirm if he will preside over the opening ceremony , his first Nayconf since coming to power.
