Khady Niang led Youth Olympics opening in Diamniadio
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Le Soleil
Khady Niang led the coordination of the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games in Diamniadio, with a Senegalese team of creators, artists and technicians. The 31 October show highlighted local skills and the country’s culture, reports Le Soleil.
Khady Niang led the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, held on Saturday 31 October at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio. Within the Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (Cojoj), she oversaw the project and coordinated the artistic and technical teams, according to Senegalese daily Le Soleil.
The production brought together Senegalese choreographers, musicians, costume designers, technicians and creators to tell the story of Senegalese culture and African diversity. Khady Niang had notably been chief make-up artist for the World Festival of Black Arts (FESMAN) in 2010, according to Le Soleil.
The artistic design of the show was led by Ibrahima Cissé, described as the ceremony’s artistic director. His identity, which remained secret before the opening of the Games, had been mentioned in preparations for the opening ceremony. The ceremony took place on the day that the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games opened in Senegal, a first for the African continent.
