Sport and youth: Dakar explores new avenues for territorial development

Making sport a true engine of territorial development and a lever for youth empowerment. This is the ambition of the international symposium "The territories of sport and youth", which opened this Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium in Dakar.

Organised by the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports (CONFEJES), in collaboration with the Île-de-France region, this two-day meeting brings together international stakeholders around the strategies to be implemented to strengthen local sports policies and ensure a lasting legacy of the Dakar-2026 Youth Olympic Games.

More than 150 international participants, including representatives from local authorities, public institutions, the sports movement, youth organizations, associations and the private sector, are expected at this event dedicated to the challenges of sport and youth in the territories.

Four key areas of discussion

Over the two days of workshops, participants will examine several issues related to the development of sports and youth activities. Discussions will focus in particular on establishing a structured framework for consultation between local authorities, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders on the ground, and organizations involved in inclusive sport.

Sharing best practices, harmonizing initiatives, and defining coordinated actions are also among the priorities of this meeting. The goal is to strengthen the contribution of sport to regional development and the well-being of young people.

Through these exchanges, the organizers intend to promote better coordination between the different actors and encourage sports policies adapted to the realities and needs of the populations.

Strengthening local capacities and promoting inclusive sport

Key expected outcomes include strengthening the capacities of local stakeholders and better integrating sport into territorial development strategies. The work should also identify and promote the sporting potential of the regions, while encouraging innovative initiatives.

Particular attention will be paid to promoting sport as a driver of economic and social development, as well as integrating inclusive sport and para-sport into public policies. The aim is to foster more equitable access to sport and to make sport a tool for inclusion and social cohesion.

Preparing a lasting legacy of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

On the eve of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the question of legacy is a major focus of the conference. Beyond the sporting event itself, the aim is to consider how to ensure the sustainability of the achievements and transform this momentum into concrete opportunities for the regions and their inhabitants.

The conclusions of the work should therefore contribute to formulating recommendations and courses of action in favor of sustainable development of sport and youth.