Dakar 2026 – Girls in the spotlight at the “24 hours of women’s sport”
IOC
13 March 2024 – In the framework of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026, the Organising Committee (YOGOC) decided to promote sport for girls by organising a “24 hours of women’s sport”. This was also to mark International Women’s Day, celebrated on Saturday 9 March on the island of Gorée, with the event led by Dakar 2026 General Coordinator Ibrahima Wade and the Mayor of Gorée, Augustin Senghor, who is also President of the Senegalese Football Federation.
The “24 hours of women’s sport” attracted 700 participants, including several leading figures from the worlds of sport and culture, and representatives from women’s organisations and clubs, schoolchildren and educators.
The programme featured a wide range of sports including badminton, breaking and kickboxing. As well as the actual competitions, this celebration was also an opportunity to raise awareness about how important it is for girls to practise sport, through Olympic values education sessions.
Senghor expressed his satisfaction with the efforts made by the Senegalese Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS) and the YOGOC to promote women’s sport.
He called on everyone to “remove the barriers” preventing the promotion of women in sport.
“Girls will be centre stage at the Dakar 2026 YOG, and they’ll win plenty of medals for Senegal.”
Augustin Senghor, Mayor of Gorée and President of the Senegalese Football Federation
Within the Dakar 2026 YOGOC, gender balance is a key priority for the various teams.
“Of the 40 staff, 17 women are working daily on the project. And three of the seven strategic management positions are held by women, who are making a decisive contribution to the preparations for the Games,” explained Dakar YOGOC President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, highlighting the efforts the YOGOC is making to promote the role of women in the organisation of these Games.
The Dakar 2026 YOCOG is thus walking the talk in terms of promoting gender equality in sport, and offering equal opportunities for all athletes and professionals in the sports sector.
