The Gambia Martial Art & Self Defense Academy, under the coordination of Mr Yorro Njie, held a three-day Martial arts clinic between May 15 and May 17, 2009, at the Buffer Zone as part of activities marking the official launch of the new academy.
 
The three-day event, which was attended by parents and members of the academy, was executed in a form of exhibitions, grading of belts and training courses in Taekwondo, Karate and Viet Vo Dao. The grading exercise in  Taekwondo and Viet Vo Dao disciplines was conducted by masters from Senegal and participants who successfully passed the technical exams were decorated with certificates.

Speaking at the gathering, Yorro Njie, the coordinator of the academy, revealed that the exhibition exercise only serves as a starter in promotion of Martial art sports in The Gambia. He promised to work with all the development-oriented national martial art federations in the promotion of the sports.

For Gambia to excel in international martial art competitions, Njie advised that martial arts clubs masters must start to rebrand their clubs into academies to nurture youngsters who want to make the trade a career. Njie also hailed the principal of the Latrikunda Upper Basic School, Mrs Mary A Allen, for what he described as "Mrs Allen's selfless assistance towards the formation of the academy."

Master Khally Faal 3 Dan from St Louise, who graced the gathering alongside fifty martial art students from Senegal used the occasion to invite the academy to their international summer camp scheduled for next August in St Louise. The camp, according to Khally Faal, will give the young boys and girls the chance to meet new friends and learn new techniques and experiences. The Gambia Martial Art and Self Defense Academy was formed on May 6, 2008, with the ultimate of aim of developing the sports of martial arts in The Gambia.