The 11nd edition of the International Convention on Sport in Africa (CISA) ended on Friday, February 21 in Dakar. Seventy-three speakers took turns over three days to discuss the development of African sport. An event that is all the more symbolic since the continent will host the Youth Olympic Games for the first time next year, once again in Dakar. Diamil Faye, president of the organizing committee, takes stock of the event.
What assessment do you make of this 11?e editing ?
The results are positive. Our goal was to relaunch the convention after a few years of inactivity. Being able to bring together so many quality panelists and having partners like ANOCA by our side is something extraordinary. We managed to bring back Yékini, a legend of Senegalese wrestling, who came to speak on our set even though he hadn't appeared for years. It's great! Knowing that the organizing team has been largely renewed, we left with young Senegalese people, 90% of whom did not know about the event. We can be happy with this success. We finished on a high note, with a full house.
Are you satisfied with the quality of the exchanges?
If there is one point that everyone agrees on, it is the quality of the discussions and presentations by the experts. It is a great satisfaction. We even had trouble stopping some discussions, we finished at 19 p.m. instead of 17 p.m. on Friday! This means that people are eager to learn, to exchange. This fits with our objective, which is to contribute to the development of the capacities of sports stakeholders in Africa. In addition to the conferences, an exhibition and networking area, inductions into the Hall of Fame and trophies to recognize the work of certain sports stakeholders, we have set up a sports area. Young people from schools and civilians were able to discover Thai boxing or field hockey and learn new sports. The convention ended with a session on the next generation, where we gave young people a voice, so that they could share their vision of what sport should be in Africa. We are proud to provide opportunities for young people to learn and develop.
This edition confirms that CISA still has a role to play?
Indeed, as the days went by, we saw the interest grow. That encouraged us. For the first time, we were live on a local television channel that broadcasts on satellite. We reached many more people than those who were in the room. These are encouraging signs on which we will continue to work so that this platform remains a reference.
The CISA is also launching an important sequence for African sport and for Dakar with the prospect of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games?
Absolutely. We had a very good panel on the YOG, on the legacy that these Games should leave. I remember a desire to contribute to local development, to have an offer that would be valid for all young people in terms of infrastructure, in terms of capacity development. We hope that time will allow all of this to be achieved. Dakar 2026 must be a moment of celebration for Senegalese youth, but more generally for African youth.
You have highlighted themes such as eSports or artificial intelligenceWas it important to show that Africa is committed to these issues of the future?
Yes, it is essential. In Senegal, the number of people affiliated with eSports is relatively low compared to many other countries. Prince Feisal of Saudi Arabia said that his country has 24 million players out of about thirty million people. That shows the path we have to take. It was also important that people understand how eSports works. Leandro Larrosa, from the IOC, and Jacques Sagna (president of the Senegalese Electronic Sports Federation) talked about it. We organized a workshop to really understand how eSport works, how to manage it, and I think that's important. It's the same thing with artificial intelligence. We tried to talk about the possibilities of using this technology for the benefit of athletes and the sports movement.
During the Paris 2024 Games, you said that the African continent had not yet realized that sport is a tool for development. Is the goal of CISA also to participate in this awareness?
Absolutely. The president of AIMS, who is responsible for the recognition of new federations, was able to explain a lot of things about sports governance. People asked a lot of questions, they did not understand how it works. We also had a presentation of Olympic Solidarity. The issues are not yet well understood, especially at the political level. It is important that politicians of all sides understand these issues in order to propose solutions and make sport an industry. We must work so that Africa becomes a reference in terms of sport. There are encouraging signs, but I am tired of hearing that Africa is the continent of tomorrow. I do not want it to be the continent of tomorrow, I want it to be the continent of today! We must start working now, with international standards, to raise the level.
Will the Convention return in 2026?
This is our desire. Our priority is already to evaluate, to see the points of improvement, to do even better in 2026, in Senegal or elsewhere. The ideal for us is to be able to reach other countries. Two countries have approached us seriously, others have expressed an interest, in North Africa and West Africa. We will continue the discussions.
