Dakar Games Festival – The test event before the 2026 YOG brought together a lot of people!

The main attraction of the sporting activities was the 3×3 basketball tournament which brought together five delegations (Senegal, Gambia, Kenya, Egypt and Nigeria). It was also in the modular stadium installed at the Place de la Nation that the official ceremony took place in the presence of several authorities and sports stakeholders.

Godmother of the event, basketball legend Mame Maty Mbengue praised the spirit of the Dakar en Jeux Festival. “ This festival is a unique opportunity to bring together young people, families and enthusiasts around values ​​such as team spirit and respect. 3×3 basketball is accessible. You are ambassadors of a strong message: sport can change lives. A future where sport plays a central role in the development of young people. A memorable event that will mark African basketball,” she declared.

Coming to chair the ceremony and welcome the guests who came to attend the international tournament, the YOG2026 coordinator spoke about the testing aspect of the Festival. “It’s an opportunity for Africa and our country. We wanted to organize and excite everyone, that’s the meaning of the Dakar Games Festival. We wanted to open up to our dear young friends from the continent. We are on the right trajectory with this ceremony which serves as a test event for us.”

Tahirou Fall, Director of High Competition at the Ministry of Sports, congratulated the work of the OCOG. “I am pleasantly surprised to see the facilities that have been made here and I congratulate you on behalf of the Minister of Sports. The OCOG spares no effort to present us with well-organized Games and to successfully organize and participate in athletes with a view to winning medals. We must make our mark by making this first organization a success in Africa. I see that it is an international tournament, I congratulate the OCOG for this idea before the YOG Dakar 2026.”

wiwsport.com