🇸🇳 Senegal Sports Story: Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics31 October 2026

Bensaid represents Mohammed VI at Dakar 2026 YOG opening

Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, represented King Mohammed VI at the opening of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. Morocco has entered 39 athletes in 17 sports, in a competition bringing together about 2,700 young athletes from 153 countries, according to MAP.

Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, represented King Mohammed VI on Saturday at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). He was accompanied by Morocco’s ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri, according to Morocco’s MAP news agency.

Morocco is competing with 39 athletes in 17 sports, MAP reports. Dakar 2026 brings together about 2,700 young athletes from 153 countries in 25 sports and will run until 13 November.

The ceremony follows the opening on 31 October of the first Olympic Games to be held in Africa. Senegal completed preparations for the event on 20 October, according to Senegalese authorities cited in our previous report.

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Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games flame arrives in Senegal and is celebrated in several countries, while Dakar prepares for the Games.

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The opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games was held at the Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, attended by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, according to Le Soleil and Africa Top Sports. The first edition held in Africa brings together around 2,700 athletes in 25 sports over two weeks. Africa Top Sports highlighted the tribute to Senegalese wrestling and futsal’s inclusion in the programme.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: Le Soleil · 31 Oct

Youth Olympic Games open in Dakar, first Olympic competition in Africa

The Youth Olympic Games have opened in Dakar, bringing together 2,600 athletes aged 14 to 17 for 153 events until 13 November, according to France 24 Afrique; Kassataya gives 2,665 participants and the BBC about 2,700 young people from 206 countries. Senego reports more than 2,700 athletes from 207 countries and national Olympic committees, as well as the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The first Olympic competition held in Africa also marks the return of Russian athletes under their national colours, while Senegalese hope for lasting benefits.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: France 24 · 31 Oct

US Embassy congratulates Senegal after Youth Olympic Games opening

The US Embassy in Senegal congratulated the country after the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. It sent its support to the American and Senegalese teams, according to a message reported by Senegal7.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: Senego · 31 Oct

Julius Maada Bio arrives in Dakar for the 2026 YOG

Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has arrived in Dakar to attend the sport and development summit and the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. He was welcomed by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, according to Sierra Loaded.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: Sierra Loaded · 30 Oct

🇸🇳 Latest from Senegal

Rejected supplementary budget raises alarm over Senegal’s treasuryThe rejection of Senegal’s draft supplementary budget prompted the Ministry of Finance to warn about the treasury situation, according to Benin Web TV and Financial Afrik. Financial Afrik said this was the second rejection of the 2026 supplementary finance bill and that the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Planning issued its warning on 31 October 2026. MP Guy Marius Sagna defended Pastef’s position in the name of budget transparency and purchasing power, according to Benin Web TV.

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CAF restores Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle🌍 World
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