With just one week remaining until 4 November 2026, excitement for hockey is building in Senegal as the countdown begins for the official Hockey Focus Day at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Taking centre stage at the vibrant Place du Souvenir in Dakar, Hockey5s is playing a dynamic new role at this edition of the Games. As one of ten featured engagement sports, the fast-paced format is delivering hands-on initiation, lively demonstrations, and grassroots coaching directly to thousands of young fans, school groups, and visitors across Senegal.

Reflecting on the milestone, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said:

“Dakar 2026 marks a historic milestone as the first Olympic sporting event ever to be hosted on African soil. On behalf of the global hockey community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Senegal and Dakar for this remarkable achievement.

The Olympic movement is founded on unity, hope, and the inspiration of future generations. Presenting our dynamic and innovative sport, in its Hockey5s format, perfectly embodies this mission.

By providing young people with their very first introduction to hockey in such an energetic and inclusive environment, and with our fantastic Athlete Role Model Darcy Bourne on site, we are not only planting seeds for the future of hockey across Africa but also empowering youth through the transformative values of sport.

This event will act as a catalyst for grassroots hockey development in Africa, accelerating the sport’s growth among young people across the continent.”

A Day of Celebration and Community

The dedicated Hockey Focus Day on Wednesday, 4 November, will celebrate the growth, energy, and community presence of hockey in West Africa.

Joining the festivities on the ground is England and Great Britain international Darcy Bourne, who was selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an official Athlete Role Model for Dakar 2026. Bourne will mentor young participants, share insights from the pinnacle of international competition, and lead interactive sessions throughout the celebration.

“I’m really excited about the role,” she told Olympics.com. “I thought it was just such an amazing opportunity. I’ve just been obsessed with the Olympics forever. So I think as a senior international, to get the opportunity to be a role model for young, aspiring, competitive athletes from all over the world is an honour.”

“Working with young people has given me so much energy and joy and faith in humanity,” she said. You can make such an impact in their lives just in small doses. You remember someone that you met who was inspiring and gave you belief in something when you were young. And I hope that if we do that, we can improve the future.”

Hockey5s Action at Place du Souvenir

Throughout the Games from 1 to 14 November 2026, a purpose-built 10m x 15m Hockey5s court is open daily at Place du Souvenir, completely free of charge:

• 09:30 – 15:30: Dedicated school workshops introducing local students to fundamental hockey skills in a fun, safe, and accessible setting.
• 16:00 – 18:00: Open public sessions welcoming visitors, families, and sports enthusiasts of all ages. No prior registration is required.

To support the initiative and establish a lasting legacy for Hockey in Senegal, FIKAGEAR has gifted a full set of official Hockey5s rebound boards to the Senegal Hockey Association for use throughout Dakar 2026, delivered as part of their ongoing partnership with the FIH Academy.

Every session will be delivered and supported by certified FIH Academy Leads and Educators alongside local coaches from the National Field Hockey Committee of Senegal (Comité National de Hockey sur Gazon), who have all undergone specialized FIH Academy Educator training in preparation for Dakar 2026, ensuring a lasting coaching and participation legacy for the sport in the region.

Picture Courtesy of Olympics.com