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The CDJS and Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Sport are working together to support the next generation of athletes.

The CDJS and the Burkina Faso Ministry of Sport for Young Athletes As part of the organisation of the first edition of the National Games for Young Athletes, the Director of the Centre for Youth and Sports Development (CDJS) paid an official visit on Friday 11 August to the Burkinabé Minister for Sport, Youth and Employment, Mr Boubacar Savadogo. The Director took the opportunity to congratulate the Minister on his appointment and on the initiatives undertaken to develop sport in Burkina Faso. Sport is an activity that strengthens community ties and fosters integration amongst peoples. It is a tool for integrated development and for promoting peaceful coexistence amongst citizens. Accordingly, in line with the sports policy introduced by the transitional government – which aims to develop grassroots sport and provide a platform for young student athletes from state and private sports training centres – the Ministry of Sport in Burkina Faso has decided to establish the National Youth Sports Games. The first edition, which will take place from 24 August to 12 September, will feature seven sporting disciplines, including football, handball, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, athletics and cycling. The director of the CDJS, Francis Chuks Njoaguani, praised this initiative by the Ministry, which is fully in line with his organisation’s philosophy of promoting youth and sport within the ECOWAS region. In his view, this initiative helps to nurture talent at grassroots level to strengthen the competitiveness of teams with a view to ensuring the next generation of athletes. He expressed the CDJS’s support for the Ministry in organising this edition. Discussions also focused on a potential long-term partnership and the development of other sporting projects, notably women’s wrestling and traditional sports.