The Union of African Traditional Sports and Games (UATSG) has elected Mr. Yahya Al-Matarr Jobe of The Gambia as its new President, further strengthening the African continental body's governance and its coordination with the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG).

Mr. Jobe, who also serves as Vice President of ICTSG for Africa, brings extensive experience in international diplomacy and cultural heritage governance to the role. He has previously served as Deputy Permanent Delegate of The Gambia at the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, a position that gives him deep expertise in navigating the intergovernmental landscape for cultural heritage protection.

In his first address as UATSG President, Mr. Jobe reaffirmed the organization's commitment to documenting and promoting African traditional sports and games as vital components of the continent's intangible cultural heritage. He outlined an agenda focused on:

- Building national chapters of UATSG across all 54 African Union member states - Coordinating with African Union Commission programs on culture and heritage - Establishing documentation standards for African traditional sports aligned with ICTSG's SRETS Framework - Working toward the inaugural African Traditional Sports and Games Championship

ICTSG President Khalil Ahmed Khan congratulated Mr. Jobe on his election and reaffirmed ICTSG's full support for UATSG's mission. "Africa has the richest diversity of traditional sports and games on Earth," said President Khan. "Mr. Jobe's leadership will be invaluable in bringing this heritage the international recognition it deserves."

The UATSG works in close coordination with ICTSG, UNESCO Regional Offices in Abuja and Nairobi, and the African Union Commission to advance the safeguarding and promotion of African traditional sports across the continent.