Just weeks before the start of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Senegal has launched an initiative aimed at bringing the spirit of the event far beyond sporting venues. The President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, officially launched DUNDAL JOJ, a national mobilisation and legacy programme designed to involve communities, institutions and citizens before, during and after the Games, scheduled to take place between 31 October and 13 November 2026.
The initiative is built around a vision that goes beyond competition. DUNDAL JOJ, whose meaning is connected to “bringing the Games to life”, seeks to turn Dakar 2026 into a shared experience for the entire country, with initiatives focused on education, sport, culture, the environment and citizen participation. The goal is for this historic event for Senegal and Africa to also generate tangible benefits for local communities and, especially, for younger generations.
A legacy that begins before Dakar 2026
One of DUNDAL JOJ’s main pillars is to bring the concept of legacy forward. Rather than waiting until the end of the Games to assess their impact, the programme aims to start building it now through schools and communities. More than 150,000 students and teachers will receive school kits, while 200,000 tickets will be purchased and distributed among educational institutions and associations to enable more young people to experience the competitions firsthand.
The initiative also includes inter-school challenges, programmes related to sustainable development and nutrition, as well as activities designed to promote leadership, responsibility and youth participation, with particular attention to girls. Sport will play a central role as a tool for promoting values linked to Olympism, respect, personal achievement and citizenship, as part of a strategy that seeks to connect the sporting celebration with the everyday lives of local communities.
The Games reach communities and showcase Senegal’s identity
DUNDAL JOJ also aims to take advantage of Dakar 2026’s international visibility to present a broader image of the country. Culture, artistic expressions, heritage, gastronomy, local regions and traditional knowledge will form part of the “Senegal Experience”, an initiative designed to allow visitors and participants to discover the country through its communities and the different identities that coexist across its territory.
The programme also includes caravans, Festival Villages and activities related to citizenship, peace, solidarity and inclusion, with the aim of bringing the Games closer to the population. This mobilisation involves the State, local authorities, companies, foundations, cultural stakeholders, civil society organisations and citizens. During the launch, a contribution of 500 million FCFA from the National Senegal Solidarity Foundation was also announced to support the different initiatives linked to the legacy that Dakar 2026 aims to begin building before the opening ceremony.
Last related articles
