JOJ Dakar 2026 : Infrastructures livrées à 100 %, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye promet de « belles surprises »
With eight days to go before the opening of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye assures that the infrastructure is 100% complete, despite a few minor adjustments. This Thursday, October 22nd, the president of the Organizing Committee for the YOG also promised "some very exciting surprises" for the opening ceremony on October 31st.
"The construction work is behind us now; the handover is here." Eight days before the start of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye expressed his confidence. This Thursday, October 22, at the headquarters of the Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJOJ) in Keur AYO, Ouakam, the president of the body confirmed that the infrastructure had now been delivered, during the screening of a documentary dedicated to the behind-the-scenes preparations for this historic event for Senegal and Africa.
“Everything is 100% complete today,” he stated, citing in particular the swimming pool, the Iba Mar Diop Stadium, the barracks, and the equestrian center. A few adjustments are still needed, however, especially around the Iba Mar Diop Stadium. According to the president of the Organizing Committee for the Youth Olympic Games (COJOJ), these minor adjustments are not likely to jeopardize the smooth running of the Games.
When asked about Dakar's ability to host the competition, he was categorical: "No, more seriously, I believe we are absolutely ready."
"There will be some very pleasant surprises."
With the infrastructure announced as completed, attention is now focused on the opening ceremony on October 31st. For the president of the Organizing Committee for the Youth Olympic Games (COJOJ), this event will be one of the highlights of this edition, the first Youth Olympic Games to be held on the African continent.
"What should occupy your thoughts most is the opening ceremony. Because there will be some very nice surprises," he promised, without revealing any more.
Behind this announcement, Diagna Ndiaye emphasized the scale of the work accomplished. The documentary shown retraces the various stages of preparation, from the initial phases of the project to the completion of the infrastructure. The president of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Youth Games (COJOJ) describes a long and arduous journey, marked by difficulties, constraints, and sleepless nights.
"We wanted to show a bit of the team's work, everything we did to make the reality visible," he explained.
The organization currently has over 700 members and is expected to reach nearly 1,000 in the coming days, according to Diagna Ndiaye. Through this projection, the COJOJ (Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Youth Games) aimed to highlight the human mobilization behind an event whose preparations required several years of work.
What will happen to the infrastructure after the Games?
While the delivery of the equipment is a significant step, its use after the competition presents another challenge. The Youth Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13. Beyond these two weeks, the question will be how to make the most of the facilities and maintain them for the benefit of Senegalese sport.
Diagna Ndiaye mentioned potential uses for other events, notably the Francophonie Games and a possible Africa Cup of Nations. These possibilities raise the question of the sporting legacy of Dakar 2026: how to ensure that the infrastructure continues to benefit athletes and the local population after the delegations have left?
The president of the COJOJ also praised the role of international partners in the preparation of the Games, highlighting in particular the contribution of several European countries.
Canal+ and RTS to bring the Youth Olympic Games beyond Senegal
Present at the screening, the general manager of Canal+ Senegal, Fatou Ba Sow, reaffirmed the group's commitment, which produced an issue of the magazine Enquête d'Afrique, broadcast on October 18, dedicated to the preparations for the Games.
Another major announcement: The group will partner with the Senegalese Radio and Television Broadcasting (RTS) to broadcast the Youth Olympic Games across Africa, enabling a wider audience to follow the performances of young athletes and discover this competition beyond Senegal's borders.
The Minister of Communication, for his part, praised the planning and coordination efforts undertaken to prepare for the event. Bakary Sarr emphasized the opportunity this presented to Senegal to showcase its youth, its culture, and its capacity to host an international competition.
"Come in large numbers to the stadium"
Eight days before the launch, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye made a direct appeal to the Senegalese people, inviting them to mobilize around this first African edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
"Come to the stadium. Come in large numbers. Come all to see the show. You deserve it with us," he said.
The assurances from the president of the Organizing Committee for the Youth Olympic Games (COJOJ) have now been given: the infrastructure is declared 100% complete, final adjustments are underway, and the opening ceremony promises surprises. But beyond the spectacle and the competition, the Dakar Games will also be judged by their legacy. For the real challenge will not only be to successfully host the Games, but also to ensure the lasting impact they have on Senegal.
Commentaires (9)
Pour l’image du pays il faut taire les divergences mais vraiment ça va pas dans ce pays. Il aurait suffit que les autorités désignent une semaine de solidarité avec les inondés, mobilisent privés, entreprises d'assainissement et fondations et ces eaux disparaissent, Dakar nettoyée e….
Avez vous vu ce qui se passe la bas?
Les rues sales avec les poubelles et flaques d'eau tout autour sans compter les routes complé"tement décapitées depuis belle lurette.
La honte c'est le marché tiléne tout prés du stade.
La faute à qui?
Odeurs nauséabondes une fois à la médina.
C'est une honte pour le sénégal d'avoir accepté d'organisé ce JOJ dans ces conditions.
Dommage 😢
On invite des Shayattines de grand rang et on donne notre jeunesse en patture niii.
Khamadi bakhoul ndeyssane
La honte planétaire qui se profile fait froid dans le dos !!! c'est triste l'Afrique 😭😭😭
J'espère juste que les JOJ feront prendre conscience au Sénégalais de l'importance d'avoir des espaces publics propres même si je reste pessimiste.
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