The Minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Badjie together with Ruben Abelenda the Cuban ambassador to The Gambia, on Tuesday signed a sport cooperation agreement between the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation of Cuba and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, at a ceremony held at the Cuban Embassy in Bijilo.
As part of the agreement, the two parties will contribute in raising the level of sports in their countries, through the development of activities such as, organisation of sports programmes including athlete training programmess, sports facilities and equipment support, academic exchange, sports medicine and administration, anti –doping control support, information technology that applies to sports and sports sponsorship.
Speaking at the ceremony Ambassador Ruben Abelenda said Cuba stands ready to help The Gambia in any way it could particularly with regard to youths and sports development.
He introduced to the minister, the new ambassador of Venezuela to Senegal and The Gambia who witnessed the ceremony. The Venezuelan ambassador said his country has very good courses, especially for young people and assured that they can mediate a link with The Gambia.
On his part, Minister Badjie told the ambassador that his ministry attaches great importance to this signing ceremony, which he said demonstrates the excellent relations between Cuba and The Gambia.
“Our role therefore is to strengthen the already existing relationship for the mutual interest of both countries,” he added.
Minister Badjie said Cuba has been very supportive to The Gambia for a very long time, specifically in areas of health, youth and sports education.
