Senegal President outlines vision for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has expressed his ambition to use the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games (YOG) as a catalyst for national development, employment, and international influence. In an interview with Le Soleil, Faye emphasized that the games should serve as a platform to establish Senegal as a major player in global sporting events and to strengthen Africa's presence in international institutions.

The President's strategy focuses on three pillars: securing a global position, building a sports industry, and amplifying Africa's voice. He highlighted the importance of the youth, noting that 200,000 tickets will be made available to schools and associations to ensure broad participation. Faye stressed that the true success of the event will be measured by the long-term legacy of infrastructure and economic opportunities left for the population.

In preparation for the games, the Senegalese women's futsal team, the Lioncelles, has been placed in Group A for the tournament. They are scheduled to compete against Fiji, Ukraine, and Venezuela between November 1 and 12, 2026. The national mobilization for the event has already begun, highlighted by the recent passage of the Olympic flame through Saint-Louis.