Dakar: On World Youth Skills Day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) emphasized the role of sports in helping young people acquire the skills necessary for success in education, employment, and life. A pivotal moment for youth development in Africa is approaching with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), marking the first Olympic event to be held on the continent.
According to Emirates News Agency, the IOC has been implementing its Olympism365 strategy to support initiatives that blend regular sports with tailored learning and skills development. Since 2022, these initiatives have reached 106,900 young people across 27 countries in Africa and Latin America. Furthermore, they have trained 3,700 coaches and educators and supported 237 local organizations. In collaboration with 55 co-founders and implementing partners, these efforts aim to enhance the capacity of institutions to integrate sport into educational and employment pathways.
As Africa gears up to host the Dakar 2026 YOG, ongoing investment and partnerships are expected to expand opportunities for sport-based education, skills development, and livelihoods across the continent and beyond. The annual observance of World Youth Skills Day on July 15 underscores the urgent need to equip young people with technical, vocational, and future-ready competencies for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.
