As part of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), the first Olympic event ever held on African soil, Senegal’s capital hosted the first edition of the Senegal Youth Assembly, known as “DUNDAL JOJ,” on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Organized in partnership with United Through Sports, this high-level gathering brought together hundreds of young people, sports leaders and international partners to discuss the role of sport in youth development and community empowerment.
The initiative provided a platform for dialogue and engagement, highlighting how sport can serve as a powerful tool for social transformation by promoting youth leadership, inclusion, protection, social cohesion and community development. The event was also held in a hybrid format, enabling young people from around the world to participate in a shared commitment to building a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive
Speaking at the event, Stephan Fox, President of United Through Sports and the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS), expressed his admiration for the energy, enthusiasm and vitality of Senegalese youth. He praised the vision of the President of the Republic in bringing the Youth Olympic Games to Senegal and providing young people with opportunities to discover and engage in different sporting disciplines.
According to him, Senegal already has enormous potential, and what young people need most is access to opportunities. “All they need is for us to open doors for them, because the talent is already here,” he emphasized.
Stephan Fox also stressed the importance of ensuring a lasting legacy beyond the Games. He noted that the real work would begin once the Olympic competitions were over, pointing out that the infrastructure and enthusiasm generated by Dakar 2026 should be transformed into sustainable opportunities for future generations. He called for sport to be promoted not only as a pathway to medals but also as a means of improving health, well-being and quality of life.
For his part, Karl Olson, President of the World Cheer Federation, highlighted the importance of introducing new sporting disciplines to Senegalese youth. He particularly welcomed the opportunity to showcase cheerleading through demonstrations, encouraging young people to discover the discipline and incorporate it into their sporting activities
.He described sport as an essential educational tool that enables young people to de4velop skills beyond the classroom, discover their potential, build confidence, embrace challenges and understand the values of teamwork and sportsmanship.He also reminded participants that sporting activities should go hand in hand with education. “The more effort we put in, the more we succeed, but young people must also study hard because sport and education must go together,” he said, encouraging the younger generation to seize every opportunity to participate in sport.
Meanwhile, Julia Govinden, Chief Executive Officer of United Through Sports, expressed her satisfaction with the success of the event. She highlighted the enthusiasm of the hundreds of young participants gathered at the Grand Théâtre, who showed great interest in the different sporting disciplines presented.
She praised the collaboration with the Senegalese organizing team, which made it possible to deliver the event within a very short timeframe and achieve results beyond expectations. Coming from Mauritius, she also expressed her pride in witnessing Senegal’s growing commitment to sports development.
She commended the Senegalese authorities for laying strong foundations for the future of sport in the country, reaffirming United Through Sports’ commitment to supporting young people through teamwork, discipline, education and the identification of emerging talent.Inclusion was another major focus of the Assembly. Rajah Diouri Sy, National Director of Special Olympics Senegal, welcomed her organization’s participation in the initiative alongside its partner, United Through Sports.
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness among young people, particularly schoolchildren, about the power of sport to change perceptions of disability and promote equal opportunities for everyone.
According to her, sport can help make dignity, equality and inclusion a reality for all, both in schools and within communities. She also expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm shown by participants, describing their engagement as an encouraging sign for a more inclusive society in which children and young people with intellectual disabilities are fully recognized and included.
The event also showcased other sporting and recreational activities, including dominoes. Lester Prosper, representing the Domino Federation, highlighted the intellectual and educational benefits of the game, particularly its ability to develop intelligence, discipline, creativity and strategic thinking.
He called for greater promotion of dominoes, emphasizing that it is an accessible activity for all age groups, from children and young people to older adults.Through DUNDAL JOJ, United
Through Sports and its partners aim to ensure that the legacy of Dakar 2026 extends far beyond the sporting competitions. The ambition is to transform the Youth Olympic Games into a lasting catalyst for opportunities for Senegalese and African youth, placing sport at the heart of education, inclusion, health, social cohesion and sustainable human development.
Ultimately, the message of the Senegal Youth Assembly is clear: the true legacy of Dakar 2026 will not only be measured in medals and sporting achievements, but also in the opportunities created for young people and the positive impact they will have on their communities.
Moussa Diba
