ECOWAS boosts Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with $300,000 support

In a significant show of support for youth empowerment and global sportsmanship, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has donated $300,000 to the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Senegal (CNOSS) to aid preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The announcement was made during the ECOWAS Youth Assembly and the National Youth Forum of Senegal, held in Dakar on November 26 and 27, 2024.

The funds, handed over by Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, symbolize the regional bloc’s commitment to ensuring the success of the first Youth Olympic Games to be hosted on African soil.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Sow Sarr said, “This historic achievement makes the entire ECOWAS region proud and provides athletes from our Member States the opportunity to compete on the global stage. ECOWAS will continue to support Senegal in this monumental endeavor.”

The handover ceremony, held in Dakar, saw the presence of Ms. Khady Diène Gaye, Senegal’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture, alongside His Excellency Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, and other dignitaries.

The financial backing underscores ECOWAS’s dedication to youth development and its broader commitment to promoting the universal values of Olympism. The funds will be used to enhance the organization and promotion of the Games, fostering inclusivity, equal opportunity, and excellence in sports.

Mr. Momar Mbaye, First Vice-President of CNOSS, expressed his gratitude, noting, “These Games, although organized in Senegal, represent the entire African continent. This generous contribution from ECOWAS is essential to ensuring the success of the competition and delivering an unforgettable experience for all participants.”

Organized under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will bring together athletes aged 14 to 17 from across the globe. With a focus on gender parity and diversity, the Games aim to unite youth while showcasing African talent and strengthening regional unity through sports.