International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry visited the official hockey venue at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games today, witnessing firsthand the infectious energy and growing excitement surrounding the sport as it takes centre stage on African soil.
Taking place at the iconic Place du Souvenir, hockey is making a vibrant impact in Dakar through Hockey5s, serving as a featured engagement sport during the first-ever Olympic event hosted on the African continent.
During her visit, President Coventry toured the purpose-built Hockey5s court where hundreds of local schoolchildren have been participating in dynamic, hands-on clinics. Joined by IOC Athlete Role Model and Great Britain international Darcy Bourne, alongside newly certified Senegalese coaches trained through FIH Academy Educator courses, young participants are being introduced to hockey fundamentals, interactive skills challenges, and fast-paced mini-games.
The initiative, run in close partnership with the Senegal Hockey Federation (Fédération Sénégalaise de Hockey sur Gazon), forms part of a wider series of daily grassroots workshops running through 14 November aimed at leaving a sustainable sports legacy across Senegal and the wider region.
Welcoming the visit of the IOC President, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said:
"It was an absolute honour to have IOC President Kirsty Coventry visit the hockey venue at Dakar 2026 today, where she witnessed the excitement of young people experiencing hockey for the first time.
Together with the IOC, we are fully committed to making hockey truly fit for the future - sustainable, dynamic, and inspiring for generations to come.
We are deeply grateful for the IOC’s continued support in empowering the next generation of hockey athletes."
Speaking after her hockey experience, the penultimate of her tour of the engagement sports at the corniche in Dakar, the IOC President said:
“It has been wonderful to experience the Dakar 2026 engagement sports and to see first-hand the energy, enthusiasm and curiosity of the young people from Senegal taking part. These activities give them the opportunity to discover new sports, try something different, challenge themselves and experience the joy of being active together. They also show how sport can bring people together, create connections and inspire in ways that extend far beyond the field of play. Congratulations to all the International Federations for their commitment and for helping to bring these memorable experiences to life.”
