Senegal's Ministry of Youth and Sports has recently engaged in a series of high-level meetings with international partners to strengthen cooperation in the sector. On September 24, 2026, Minister Djireye Clotilde Coly received the Swiss Ambassador to Senegal, Tamara Mona, the US Embassy's Public Affairs Counselor, Rachel Okunubi, and the Qatari Ambassador, Yousuf Bin Shabaan Al-Sada. The meetings focused on exploring new areas of collaboration and reinforcing existing partnerships.
The discussion with the Swiss Ambassador centered on using sports as a tool for solidarity and citizenship. The two parties discussed plans for a solidarity run on November 1-2, 2026, aimed at mobilizing young people and those living with disabilities. This event is expected to be organized in conjunction with organizations for victims of landmines in Casamance. The talks also touched on issues related to democracy, citizenship, and the role of sports in promoting social cohesion.
The meeting with the US Embassy's Public Affairs Counselor focused on cooperation in sports and support for Senegalese youth talents, particularly with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind. The parties also explored ways to revitalize sports in schools, with the goal of increasing sports practice and creating opportunities for young talent detection and development. This aligns with the US interest in supporting Senegal's sports sector.
The Qatari Ambassador's meeting with Minister Coly aimed to expand cooperation in the sports sector, with a focus on sports management, infrastructure, and capacity building. The parties discussed training for technical staff in collaboration with sports federations, as well as sharing experiences and best practices to enhance national expertise in sports management and organization.
These meetings reflect the Ministry's strategy to align international cooperation with national priorities, including youth empowerment, sports development, and capacity building. By engaging with foreign partners, the Ministry seeks to tap into expertise, experiences, and resources to support its policies and programs.
The strengthened partnerships with Switzerland, the US, and Qatar are expected to contribute to Senegal's efforts to improve its sports ecosystem, including infrastructure, training, and talent detection. The Ministry views these collaborations as opportunities to mobilize expertise, share experiences, and support public policies focused on youth and sports.
The series of meetings demonstrates Senegal's commitment to leveraging international partnerships to drive development in the youth and sports sector. With a focus on cooperation and collaboration, the Ministry aims to create a more robust and sustainable sports ecosystem that benefits the country's young people.
Key points
- Senegal's Minister of Youth and Sports has met with ambassadors from Switzerland, the US, and Qatar to discuss cooperation in sports development and youth empowerment.
- The partnerships aim to support Senegal's priorities, including youth empowerment, sports development, and capacity building.
- The strengthened collaborations are expected to enhance Senegal's sports ecosystem, including infrastructure, training, and talent detection.
