Sports cooperation between Senegal and Gabon is strengthening in preparation for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS) and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (YOGOC), made a notable working visit to Libreville on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

President Ndiaye was received in audience by His Excellency General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of the Gabonese Republic, in the presence of Gressant Pambo, President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Gabon. This meeting allowed the President of the YOGOC to present the progress of preparations for Dakar 2026.

Discussions with the Gabonese Head of State focused on the prospects for partnership and mutual support between the two NOCs, in view of this historic event, the first Olympic event organized on the African continent.

The Gabonese President expressed his pride at seeing Africa host the Games. He "welcomed the great progress made in preparations" and expressed his "full and complete willingness, as well as that of the entire Gabonese people, to stand alongside Senegal and the YOGOC for the success of the event."

African Cooperation and Unity

On the sidelines of the presidential audience, working sessions brought together delegations from the two NOCs, followed by visits to Gabonese sports sites and infrastructure. These meetings served to reaffirm the bonds of friendship, fraternity, and cooperation between the sports communities of the two countries.

“The Gabonese NOC is honored to welcome President Ndiaye and his delegation. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are a unique opportunity to promote sport and young African athletes. We are firmly committed to Dakar 2026 and to working towards the success of this continental event,” emphasized Mr. Gressant Pambo, President of the Gabonese NOC.

For his part, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye affirmed that this visit is part of "the common desire of Senegal and Gabon to promote the values of Olympism, to strengthen regional cooperation and to make the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games a true symbol of unity, youth and African pride."

The Senegalese delegation included Ibrahima Wade (General Coordinator of the YOGOC), Louis Lamotte (Director of Cabinet), Balla Dieye (Director of International Relations), Khadidiatou Niang (Director of Ceremonies) and Abdoulaye Thiam (President of ANPS and AIPS Africa). The Senegalese Ambassador to Gabon also took part in the proceedings.