Senegalese point guard Aminata Ndong, 19, was among the first torchbearers on the opening leg of the Youth Olympic Games torch relay through Le Plateau in Dakar on 14 September. The parade marked the start of the national relay ahead of Dakar 2026.
"It was a real honour to be counted amongst the YOG torchbearers," Ndong said. "It's a historic moment and not something that happens every day." She added that when asked to take part, she accepted immediately: "I have to be part of this."
A product of the Guédiawaye Basket Academy, Ndong won the Senegalese basketball championship in 2024 aged 16 with ASC Ville de Dakar Basket. She has since represented the Dakar-based club in the FIBA Women's Basketball League Africa in Senegal and Egypt.
Ndong linked the values of the YOG torch — peace, friendship and excellence — to her role on the court. "In basketball, there are times when, if you falter, the whole team can falter with you. And for me, as a point guard, my role means I can't afford it," she said.
She also described the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics as a chance for Senegal and Africa to be seen on a global stage, and urged young athletes to "always keep their cool, always show respect and always play fair." Tickets for Dakar 2026 are available from 1000 XOF, with free Fan Zone and Corniche Festival passes offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
