Benin's diaspora is contributing to the development of school sports with a new initiative to detect and nurture young athletics talent. Christophe Bokpè, a former international footballer and player for the Caïmans du Zou, has returned to Benin with a project to introduce primary school children to athletics. The initiative, "Initiation des enfants du cours primaire à la pratique de l’athlétisme," aims to promote a culture of athletics and identify young talents from a young age.
The project benefits from the expertise of an Italian delegation led by Francesco Foletti, president of the Association Academy Motus Africa. The goal is to teach primary school children the fundamentals of athletics, promote a love for sports, and identify young talents. The initiative also aims to promote inclusion, education through sports, and a culture of athletics in Benin. The Zou department has been chosen for the pilot phase, with five primary schools in Abomey hosting the first sessions.
The official launch of the project is scheduled for October 3, 2026. Beyond teaching athletics fundamentals, the promoters want to create a favorable environment for children's development. The initiative aims to use sports as an educational tool and a means of early identification of abilities, addressing significant needs for sports infrastructure and coaching. The project also seeks to establish a long-term partnership with national institutions and structures in charge of athletics.
Christophe Bokpè and the Italian experts met with the Director of Cabinet of the Minister of Sports and Civic Engagement on September 29, 2026, to present the project and its implementation stages. A working session was also held with the Beninese Athletics Federation (FBA) to discuss partnership modalities, ensuring the continuity of talent detection and technical follow-up after the Italian delegation's departure.
The delegation has a busy agenda, with meetings scheduled with the Mayor of Abomey, Franck Métolé Kpassassi, and the President of the National Assembly, Joseph Djogbénou. Through this initiative, Christophe Bokpè and his partners aim to bring sports closer to schools and give more importance to talent detection from the base. The experience launched in Abomey could be a first step towards establishing a more structured device for promoting school athletics in Benin.
The project has the potential to contribute significantly to the development of athletics in Benin, addressing the country's needs for sports infrastructure and coaching. By involving national institutions and structures, the initiative can ensure a lasting impact and create a culture of athletics in Benin. The promoters hope to replicate the experience in other regions, providing opportunities for young Beninese to develop their athletic talents.
The initiative's success will depend on the collaboration of various stakeholders, including national institutions, local authorities, and sports structures. With the support of the Italian delegation and the Beninese Athletics Federation, Christophe Bokpè's project can make a positive impact on the development of athletics in Benin, providing a platform for young talents to emerge and grow.
Key points
- Christophe Bokpè and Italian experts launch initiative to detect young athletics talent in Benin
- Project aims to promote inclusion, education through sports, and a culture of athletics in Benin
- Initiative seeks to establish long-term partnership with national institutions and structures in charge of athletics
