GNOC to host World Intellectual Property Day 2026 commemoration
By Muhammed L. Saidykhan
Banjul The Gambia, April 21, 2026 – The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) will join the global community in commemorating World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2026 with a national event aimed at highlighting the growing importance of intellectual property in sport.
Observed worldwide on April 26 each year, World IP Day is led by the World Intellectual Property Organization and celebrates the role that intellectual property rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. This year’s theme, “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” places a special spotlight on how IP supports the development, protection, and commercialization of sport.
GNOC is partnering with the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice, through the Intellectual Property Office / Registrar, to host the commemoration on Monday, 27th April 2026 at the GNOC Hall. The event will bring together stakeholders from the sports sector, legal community, government institutions, and the media.
The programme will feature a series of presentations designed to deepen understanding of intellectual property within the national sports ecosystem. The Registrar of the Intellectual Property Office will deliver an overview of the Office’s role and mandate, outlining how IP laws and frameworks operate in The Gambia.
A key highlight of the event will be a technical presentation on the intersection of intellectual property and sport. The session will explore critical areas such as branding, athletes’ rights, image rights, sponsorship, and innovation issues that are increasingly shaping the modern sporting landscape both locally and globally.
The GNOC will also present its mandate and role within The Gambia’s sports structure, emphasizing its contribution to athlete development, governance, and international representation.
The event is scheduled to run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and will serve as a platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration on how intellectual property can drive innovation and sustainable growth in Gambian sport.
