By Stella Odueme
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to the successful hosting of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), with financial and technical support, youth volunteer deployment and capacity-building initiatives aimed at promoting regional integration.
The regional bloc said its partnership with the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS) was designed to mobilise young people across West Africa and position the historic sporting event as a platform for unity, solidarity and youth development.
A statement on Monday, said the commitment was demonstrated at the official opening ceremony of the Games, held on Saturday, October 31, at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, and the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Nassirou Arifari Bako.
They joined Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is also the current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, alongside prominent figures in the international Olympic movement.
Also present was the President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, and other members of the international community.
ECOWAS said the participation of its top officials underscored the strategic importance it attached to the Games, particularly as the first Youth Olympic Games to be hosted on African soil.
The initiative is expected to strengthen youth participation, promote sporting excellence and deepen cooperation among West African countries through a shared commitment to the development of young people.