Twenty-one participants from several African countries, including Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Bénin, Congo, Rwanda, and Sénégal, have received certification in public sports infrastructure management. The training session was organized by the Conférence des ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports de la Francophonie (CONFEJES) in partnership with the University of Senghor in Alexandria, Egypt. The ceremony took place in Dakar, Sénégal.
The training session was organized in preparation for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar, Sénégal. The Secretary General of CONFEJES, Louisette-Renée Thobi Etame Ndedi, attended the closing ceremony and encouraged the participants to apply their new knowledge in their respective administrations, local authorities, and sports federations. She emphasized that the certificate received is not an endpoint but rather a commitment to serving their communities.
Thobi Etame Ndedi also announced that an evaluation of the training session's outcomes will be conducted during a colloquium on public sports infrastructure management scheduled for 2029. The event will assess the progress made since the training session. The location for the colloquium has not yet been determined. Participants were trained in various modules, including planning, coordination of activities, and management of human and financial resources allocated to sports infrastructure.
Yolunole Niaba, a participant from Côte d'Ivoire, spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries and highlighted the benefits of the training session. The different modules allowed them to strengthen their competencies in areas such as planning, coordination of activities, and management of human and financial resources. They also gained knowledge in the management and maintenance of installations, including security, hygiene, and accessibility.
The training session also enabled participants to deepen their understanding of communication and valorization of sports infrastructure, as well as ways to improve their attractiveness and profitability. This initiative is part of the preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Sénégal, a significant event for Sénégal, Africa, and the Francophone community.
CONFEJES, created in 1969, currently comprises 42 member states and governments from five continents. The organization aims to promote cooperation and exchange among its members in the fields of youth and sports. The certification of the 21 participants is a testament to CONFEJES' efforts to enhance the management of public sports infrastructure in Africa.
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Sénégal, will provide an opportunity for the country to showcase its capabilities and hospitality to the international community. The event is expected to have a positive impact on Sénégal and the African continent. The training session on public sports infrastructure management is a crucial aspect of the preparations for the Games.
Key points
- The training session was organized by CONFEJES and the University of Senghor in Alexandria, Egypt.
- Twenty-one participants from several African countries received certification in public sports infrastructure management.
- The training session was conducted in preparation for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Sénégal.
