Public sports infrastructure: The challenge of management at the heart of a training course in Dakar

Building sports infrastructure is not enough to guarantee its effectiveness. It is also essential to have the skills necessary to operate, maintain, and promote it. This is precisely the focus of the certified training program in public sports infrastructure management (GISP) organized by the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the Francophonie in Dakar.

After an initial online phase from September 14 to 25, 2026, the training continues in person from September 28 to October 2. It brings together 21 participants from about ten African countries, including Ivory Coast, Senegal, Benin and Togo.

Of the 47 applications received, 21 managers and professionals from the sports sector were selected to participate in this two-week training program. The program covers the management, operation, maintenance, and development of public sports infrastructure.

Through teaching, exchange of experiences and practical work, CONFEJES intends to equip participants with tools and skills adapted to the challenges of sustainable and effective management of sports facilities.

For Mama Laye Mbaye, Director General of Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Senegal, this initiative responds to a necessity: "We know that sports infrastructure requires significant funding and mobilizes many resources. But having infrastructure is one thing, knowing how to manage it is another."

He believes that this training will enable those responsible to better manage the infrastructure and offer better organized services to practitioners and users.