“My mind was already on 2026. I can’t wait for it to happen”
Senegal triumphed over neighboring Gambia to climb to the top of the podium. The hotly contested possessions continued and each point scored was celebrated as it should be by fans who raised the temperature in the already very hot Dakar evening.
“I am very happy, very happy especially that Mame Maty Mbengue, a legend from Senegal, gave us the gold medal. It was only two days, but I learned a lot and now we want to take advantage of it to prepare for Dakar 2026, our goal. I am so excited to be in 2026 to participate and represent my country, Senegal, with dignity,” reacted Oussene N’Doye, gold medal around his neck, after the final.
Despite the defeat, Gambians can be proud of what they achieved in what was a first international experience for most of them. They were accompanied by certain compatriots who came to encourage them on this initiatory journey.
“We were facing the host country, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We came and played with our hearts. In sport, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn,” put Abdoulie Taylor into perspective.
This experience left an impression on them and made them want to see even more.
“I just hope that we will have more opportunities to play in these types of tournaments to represent our nation and show that The Gambia matters in the world of basketball,” he added.
The audience enjoyed the show, from young children to Makhtar Ndiaye, a true legend of Senegalese sport. The former basketball player, now an ambassador for Dakar 2026, was enthusiastic about what he saw during Dakar en Jeux.
“It’s funny, I was watching the matches but I wasn’t really watching them, I was somewhere else. My mind was already on 2026. I’m so excited for it to happen, I was there saying to myself ‘Come on, quickly, let’s do this tomorrow!’ “, admitted the former NBA player to Olympics.com.
At the foot of the Obelisk of the Place de la Nation, the usual meeting place for national celebrations, all of Africa was celebrated for three days.
