In Senegal, with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games fast approaching, the president of the Games Organising Committee (COJOJ), Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, has announced that infrastructure works are 96% complete. This extra time, resulting from the postponement from 2022, has enabled the optimisation of the eight venues spread across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. The military engineering corps has been mobilised to ensure the delivery of the Iba Mar Diop Stadium despite adverse weather conditions. Scheduled to take place from 31 October 2026 to 13 November 2026, the facilities will be delivered by the end of April 2026. This organisation aims to provide a lasting legacy and top-class conditions for all disciplines.
With the first Olympic event on the African continent fast approaching, the President of the Organising Committee for the Youth Olympic Games (COJOJ), Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, is optimistic about the completion of the construction projects. According to the President of the Organising Committee, the overall completion rate for the infrastructure is now approaching 96%, a dramatic increase from the 67% previously recorded. Originally scheduled for 2022, the Games were postponed to 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Organising Committee has turned this extra time into an opportunity. The objective is clear: to enable all disciplines to compete in the optimal comfort expected of a top-level athlete.
“We could even have done it within the original timeframe for 2022, but then COVID came along. And that gave us much more time to organise ourselves, hence the emergence of the Senegal Stadium and many infrastructure developments. The aim of the game, once again, is that all aspects of the event, all disciplines eligible for the YOG, participate in the full sense of the word, in the comfort of a top-level athlete.”
Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee – Senegal
The COJOJ is preparing for potential delays caused by rain at the Iba Mar Diop Stadium through a partnership with the military engineering corps. The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place across eight venues: Dakar will host the Tour de l’Œuf, Iba Mar Diop and the Corniche Ouest. 30 km away, Diamniadio is home to the Dakar Arena, the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, the equestrian centre and the Olympic Village. Finally, the Saly Ouest resort will be dedicated to beach and water sports. This regional organisation aims to provide top-class facilities for all disciplines.
“A potential unforeseen issue has been raised: if it rains, will this not cause delays in the completion of the works? We have anticipated this too, as we have spoken with the military, with the General Staff. You know, there is a department called the Military Engineering Directorate, and as soon as the first rains fall, as soon as the weather forecast is issued, they will get in touch with the teams in charge of finalising and constructing the Iba Mar Diop Stadium.”
Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee – Senegal
The Dakar 2026 YOG Organising Committee announced on 26 March at a press conference that construction and renovation work on the venues is 97% complete. The facilities will be handed over at the end of April, seven months ahead of the Games, which are scheduled to take place from 31 October to 13 November.
“You really need to come and see the actual progress for yourselves. And, to be perfectly honest, in the Minister for Infrastructure’s defence, when he took office, the completion rate for the works was around 67%. Today, we’re approaching a 96% completion rate. These are just figures, but the best part is seeing it for yourself. I invite you – if you like, I’ll come and pick you up – we’ll take a tour and you’ll be impressed; you’ll see that it’s truly magnificent.”
Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee – Senegal
Beyond the performance, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye has a strong political vision: to make Dakar 2026 a showcase of African excellence in the eyes of the world. “Dakar welcomes and Africa celebrates,” he likes to remind people, emphasising that these universal games will serve as a lever to boost the local economy and offer a lasting legacy to the continent’s youth. President of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS) since 2006, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye has announced that he will step down from his post after the YOG and after completing five terms in December 2026.
