During his mission to West Africa, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, took part today in an event in Dakar dedicated to sports diplomacy, attended by athletes and representatives from Senegal’s sporting community.
Alongside Italian champions Alessandra Sensini (windsurfing specialist) and Luca Dotto (swimmer), Minister Tajani underlined that sports diplomacy is a priority for the Italian Government — a powerful means of bringing together peoples and cultures and creating tangible opportunities for development.
During the event, football shirts, balls and other items were donated to young Senegalese footballers. Major sporting events, the Minister observed, are also an extraordinary driver of growth, wellbeing and job creation.
Tajani noted that Italy’s sports sector is worth nearly EUR 25 billion, with exports of sports goods reaching almost EUR 5 billion.
The year 2026 will be a landmark for both Italy and Senegal, with the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Dakar Youth Olympic Games — the first Olympic event ever to be held in Africa. Minister Tajani highlighted the importance of this achievement, as a recognition for Senegal, for Africa and for its youth.
In his remarks, the Minister also recalled Italy’s commitment to the Olympic Truce at the United Nations and to scholarship programmes for young Africans at the University of Rome “Foro Italico”.
The Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Italy’s support in this field, aiming to make sport a bridge for peace and a catalyst for shared growth.
