Youssou N'Dour: "We are ready," as Dakar prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games
The singer paid tribute to the organising chief, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, two weeks before the first Youth Olympic Games in Africa open on 31 October.
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Dakar — Two weeks before Senegal opens the first Youth Olympic Games ever held in Africa, Youssou N'Dour has paid tribute to the man who has led the preparations, Le Quotidien reports.
The Youth Olympic Games run from 31 October to 13 November in Dakar, Saly and Diamniadio, with the opening ceremony planned at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio.
Speaking on Radio France Internationale's programme "Fais ton boucan", the singer praised Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the organising committee, whom he said he had watched lead the project for eight years. "Bringing this project to Africa is a first," he said, crediting the huge amount of work by Ndiaye and his team.
"Who says youth says Africa," N'Dour added, noting that 70% of Africans are under 25. "And we are ready." When Senegal needs him, he said, he is always there, but the young people come first.
N'Dour, who is in Paris with his band, Super Etoile, for a concert at Bercy, did not say whether he will be at the opening ceremony.
Source: Le Quotidien, 17 October 2026.
