I love the spirit of  the Youth And Sports ministry to bring together all stakeholders in sports to debate on pertinent issues relating to sports development.

This overdue lofty idea is not only a step in the right direction but could weather the storm clouds and lift the gloom enveloping Gambian sports from `Kartong to Koina`. Thumps up to the organisers and the prospective participants. Why not?  It's time for a new broom to sweep through. We hope and encourage that there is an open forum as this is one of the greatest days in Gambian sports. Our destiny therefore is in your own hands.

Participants are encouraged to discuss things face to face, irrespective of positions and try to understand one another. We have to communicate amongst ourselves, honour our policies and agreements, stop the unnecessary blames, unearth successes and bottlenecks as well as handle constructive criticism. That is a way forward. Yes, it's a difficult time globally. Everyone knows that we  are now exceeding expectation in certain  sporting disciplines and are currently in the international wilderness because we possess willing expertise and homegrown talents, albeit with less support and less technical and managerial inabilities as compared to the rest of the best nations on earth. But all that is not only about sports.

I have always argued that sports transcends ethnicity, culture, religion, race, colour or status and put everyone in equal footing. No matter where you fall, once you are in the wilderness of sports, you are a winner considering its value to mankind. Sports as we know brings about fame, fun, glory, good health and fortune. Now I challenge participants to see `Sports As A Commodity For All`.

Our sport elites of all ages have a right to be treated fairly, guided and protected. Likewise much is given to them, much is obviously expected because they are the icon of our sports. The world (not only The Gambia) has far more important issues to tackle such as climate change, explosive situations around the globe, poverty, HIV AIDS, ignorance and lots of development issues. But sports could bridge the gaps by bringing us together and most importantly make the world`s occupiers, human, to think and meet these challenges.

I recommend that our young generation and their accomplices be schooled to note that they are the pacesetters of our great sports. The only antidote for them to take sports behavior seriously is to educate them. Running educational schemes should go beyond technical issues of the sport they engage in. They must be made to understand that  they are role models who are idolised as celebrities and have extra social responsibilities in the society. This is why The ministries of Youth And Sports and Education must jointly syncronise their policies to address the sporting component. We must go back to basic to complement and sustain successes recorded so far and lift dormant sports both indoor and outdoor. It is a tough battle but it is one we can win if forces are put together whilst the brainchild of this open bantaba (Youth and Sports ministry ) champions the cause.

Each sports association is expected to assess its claims. We do not expect prepared white sheets or vocal voices from the floor only to suit a ceremonial forum. Therefore, I dream that moving from amateurism to ultra professionalism may be a herculean task but it is achievable to serve as a backup to our managerial capabilities in all facets of our sporting dispensation bearing in mind the  monetary investment, organising sustainable competitions with a `give and take` bargain to the private/bussiness sector.

From the higher to the lower eachelon, backroom staff require skills in sports science, nutrition, psychology, secretarial, physiotherapy, marketing and a lot more as well as exposing our various sporting brands will be an ultimate benefits.  Sports is now a big business to invest something for something greater. But the bitter truth is our sports associations are homeless. Poor facilities and lack of resources continue to hinder their progress. Infact many  among them do lack highly developed administrators to meet the challenges of the world order in sports.

I salute all Gambians working tirelessly and voluntarily in sports with two fingers crossed and I hope that this open Dialogue Sports Conference  will be a major factor to fully produce what the country has been looking for.