The Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG) on Thursday 17th March 2022 organized a day long capacity building/drug awareness sensitization workshop for the players and coaching staff of Dolphin Stars Football Club (FC). Held at the NaNa conference hall, the workshop aims at building their capacity as well as widen their understanding on evidenced based preventive drug demand reduction initiatives and other issues related to the dealing, trafficking and abuse of controlled and prohibited drugs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Ebrima Drammeh, DLEAG’s Director of Operations who represented the Director General of DLEAG buttressed on the relevance of the training. He stated that the training is a manifestation of some of the success stories registered by DLEAG in the crusade on illicit drugs and related activities because it is organized for a football club whose co– founder and President defeated addiction and changed for the better.
Mr. Mbenga he said is a living testimony to the fact that with willingness, commitment, determination and support, people can positively turn their life around and recover from Substance Use Disorders (SUD).
Mr. Drammeh called on the public to join the bandwagon in the crusade on illicit and controlled drugs. He revealed that on a daily basis, the DLEAG receives series of requests for sponsorship from youth groups and community based organization. He however stated that as a government subvented institution, they cannot provide support to all these groups. He therefore called on other institutions, the private sector and development partners to complement government efforts and partake in keeping youths, children and drugs apart.
Dilating further, he cited some of the negative impacts of illicit drug trafficking and abuse. He said that illicit drug trafficking and abuse affect human and national development, the health, wellbeing and safety of individuals and nations. “Illicit drug trafficking and organised crime undermine economic activities, democratic institutions, fuel crimes and violence, promote corruption and there is also a strong nexus to human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism and terrorist financing among others” stated Mr. Drammeh.
Mr. Mamour Mbenga, President and Cofounder of Dolphin Stars Football club revealed that the main aim of setting up the club is to promote grassroots football among very talented and skillful youth who are vulnerable and also lack the support to realize their dreams.
He stated that as a football club, they are committed to engaging youth for effective change through sport. He also said that as part of their planned program of activities, they will engage young people and their families, organize capacity building training, provide scholarship support as well as promote vocational and skills training and developments.
Citing some of the success stories registered by the team, he stated that Dolphin Stars FC had recently received an award as the most disciplined team in the 15th edition of the Semlex Gambia football tournament organized by the Bijilo Youth and Sports Committee. He also disclosed that four of their players are currently participating in a sport exchange program with one of their counterpart based in the United States of America.
Finally he thanked DLEAG Management for the continued support and motivation.
