The initiative celebrated sport as a universal language – a form of diplomacy capable of bringing people and cultures together while creating new opportunities for growth and development. Speaking in the Senegalese capital, Minister Tajani highlighted sport’s role as a bridge for peace, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to the Olympic Truce at the United Nations and to the scholarship programmes offered to young Africans through the University of Rome “Foro Italico.”

Senegal is set to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026, marking the first-ever Olympic event held on African soil, and the same year Italy will welcome the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Also present in Dakar were Italian sporting champions Alessandra Sensini (Olympic windsurfing gold medallist at Sydney 2000) and Luca Dotto (world championship medallist and 26-time Italian swimming champion). Together with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN), they helped distribute equipment and gifts to local young footballers and swimmers, reinforcing the shared values of friendship, inclusion and fair play through sport.