The local organising committee of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, says it aims to reach 900,000 young people aged 9 to 15 across 11,000 schools before the start of the Games in October as its push to deepen grassroots sports development.
The team in charge of implementing the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), as part of the Games’ legacy programme, are tapping educators, youth leaders and sports facilitators to deepen the impact of the Games beyond stadiums into schools and classrooms.
“Women are integrated at both governance and operational levels,” stated Fanta Diallo, director, engagement and mobilisation, Dakar 2026, whose department is overseeing the rollout.
Diallo’s team – a group of educators, youth leaders and sports facilitators with near‑perfect gender parity – are involved in training teachers, mentoring students and supporting schools and youth programmes as they introduce OVEP-related activities and clubs.
“Women are represented within our leadership and delivery teams; and play an active role in curriculum delivery and mentoring.”
According to her, the programme is active in Senegal’s ‘toddler huts’ – community centres for kindergarten-age children, ensuring that the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship are introduced from an early age.
She added that facilitating equal access to sport, education and leadership opportunities is a priority of the Brevet Olympique Civique et Sportif (BOCS).
Targeted outreach is directed at girls in schools and community settings, while the programme is aligned with national and local initiatives promoting girls’ education, health and participation in sport and community life.
“Particular attention is given to parity in access, participation in practical sports sessions, civic modules and leadership activities linked to the Olympic values,” Diallo stated.
According to her, girls represent about 50 percent of the beneficiaries of the BOCS programme, which is a significant proportion in a country where many girls face cultural and socioeconomic barriers to sporting and educational opportunities.
Cécile Faye, director, National Olympic Academy of Senegal, stated that BOCS outcomes demonstrate the importance and value of having women in leadership roles, and their capacity to imbue positive values in younger generations.
“What makes female leadership important in society is transmitting values to young girls,” Cécile explains. “Seeing them become autonomous and reproducing the same behaviours is reassuring.”
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