Rugby sevens is one of the 25 sports featured at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. It aims to boost the development of the sport on the African continent by inspiring a new generation of young local athletes. The competition, which brings together eight teams including Senegal, also hopes to provide a high-performance global showcase to reveal the future international talents of the sport.
My name is Abdelaziz Touré, a rugby player for the Yoff club. I will represent Senegal on the U18 national team at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Abdelaziz Touré, U18 Rugby Player – Senegal
Africa is preparing to be thrilled by the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Among the 25 competitive sports on the program for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is rugby sevens. Of the eight teams participating in this competition, host country Senegal is holding numerous training camps to refine the skills of its players.
We have conducted several training camps in Thiès. There was a lot to work on because, let’s face it, the beginnings were extremely difficult.
Ibrahima Diao, Deputy Technical Director FSR – Senegal
The Senegalese Rugby Federation is intensively preparing its U18 national teams in Thiès for the Dakar Youth Olympic Games (YOG). This high-level training brings together the best local talent, particularly from the Yoff Rugby House and Village Pilote. These strategic training camps are building a competitive team to proudly represent the country at this major Olympic event on home soil.
We worked for a long time to raise their level of play, so there was a lot of work to be done. Now there’s been a lot of improvement; we just need to work harder.
Ibrahima Diao, Deputy Technical Director FSR – Senegal
For Senegal, the objectives of these preparations are to consolidate its position at the top of the Africa Cup standings and compete with the best nations in the world.
