In a significant step toward strengthening international sports cooperation, Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) and The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) on Wednesday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the margins of the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Riyadh.
The agreement was signed by HH Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi Al Saudi on behalf of HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud, the President of Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and President of The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) Bai Dodou Jallow. It’s meant to establish a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing bilateral collaboration in various spheres of Olympic Movement and sports development.
The MoU reflects the shared ambition of both nations to expand technical, educational and administrative cooperation to foster strong people-to-people ties through sport.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two committees will coordinate closely at continental and international sports forums, exchange sports programmes between federations and collaborate in training sports personnel through technical exchanges, conferences and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The partnership will also promote cooperation in sports medicine, anti-doping efforts, gender equity, Olympic education and sustainability. Both sides will encourage exchanges among coaches, sports officials, athletes’ committees and national teams, while facilitating direct contact between sports clubs in both countries.
The agreement emphasises the confidentiality of shared information and clarifies that the MoU serves as a non-binding framework with no immediate financial obligations.
Financial arrangements for specific exchange programmes will be mutually agreed upon on a case-by-case basis. To ensure effective implementation, representatives of SOPC and GNOC will hold periodic meetings to evaluate and advance joint programmmes.
The MoU will remain in force for four years and will automatically renew for additional four-year terms unless terminated with six months’ written notice.
Both parties highlighted the importance of coordinated public communication, with a requirement for prior written approval before publishing any information relating to the MoU or related activities.
The signing marks a new chapter in Saudi–Gambian sports relations, positioning both countries to benefit from shared expertise, enhanced athletic development, and strengthened international cooperation within the global Olympic Movement.
