By Muhammed L. Saidykhan

The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) and the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening cooperation in sports development, athlete exchange, and the promotion of the Olympic Movement.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh on November 20th 2025 by GNOC President Mr Bai Dodou Jallow and his Iranian counterpart, Mr Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa, on the margins of the 2025 Islamic Games.

Under the new partnership, both countries will collaborate on athlete training camps, bilateral sporting events, marketing initiatives, and programmes designed to promote fair play and sports development for all. The two committees also committed to sharing expertise, best practices, and information on issues of mutual interest.

The MoU outlines further cooperation in high-performance sports, including the participation of national teams in competitions hosted in both countries, as well as the exchange of coaches, sports medicine personnel, technical experts, and athletes.

In the field of education and research, the agreement provides for joint seminars, workshops, short-term training programmes, and the mutual exchange of information on scientific and educational initiatives. Both parties will also invite each other to relevant international sports conferences and congresses.

The MoU also encourages collaboration among the National Olympic Academies, sports federations, and the Olympic Museums of both nations, enabling cultural and historical exchange linked to the Olympic Movement.

The agreement takes effect immediately upon signature and remains valid until 31 December 2028, with the possibility of extension by mutual consent.

This landmark cooperation further strengthens diplomatic sporting ties between The Gambia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, reflecting a shared commitment to the development of sports and the values of the Olympic Movement.