The goal of instituting national youth leagues in Senegal is to ensure that the top young football players in the region compete at the highest levels of international competition. In addition, numerous opportunities were preserved to enhance the competitiveness of the game. There has been an upsurge in participation in youth leagues with the introduction of the National Youth Leagues under the FIFA Forward Program in 2020.
One of the most important objectives was to get the local players ready for the qualifying tournament for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Not just boys but girls are included as well with the following categories available:-
|
Gender |
Categories |
| Male |
U-15, U-17, and U-20 |
| Female |
U-15 and U-17 |
Since its inception in Senegal, the program has accomplished great feats. El Hadj Wack Dip believes that boys and girls who were previously excluded are now able to compete with one another. Events under the initiative, according to El Hadj Wack Dip, Development Manager for West-Central Africa of the FIFA Regional Office, have allowed the department to reinforce the work already done by clubs and football academies.
Despite efforts to increase competitiveness through technical and tactical development, there remained still a lack of competitiveness. Consequently, league games are now played throughout the year in all 14 regions of Senegal.
Not just the FIFA representatives but also the local administrative staff share the same belief.
The coach of ASCE La Linguere, Oumar Diop, viewed participation in such league matches as a real opportunity. Oumar continued by saying that league matches provide them the opportunity to compete against one another while also learning about different football cultures and gaining experience. In short, the initiative is succeeding and producing positive results.
According to ASCE Forward Mohamadou Lamine Diouf, signing a deal with a top football club is a huge source of motivation. He continued by stating that the league provides them with the long-sought exposure.
The timing of the announcement was optimal. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has begun with everyone’s attention focused on international competition. Such announcements go on to demonstrate the impact that football can have on any region, regardless of size.
Qatar went on to lose the opening match against Ecuador, becoming the first host nation to lose an opening match in the history of the FIFA World Cup. Ecuador led the match by 2-0 as Enner Valencia scored a double. FIFA betting sites have surely modified the odds for Qatar as far as their future events are concerned.
Upon returning to Senegal, enthusiasm has rekindled, along with the motivation to push harder and improve as much as possible. Mohamadou Lamine Diouf has high aspirations of landing a lucrative contract, just like his predecessors Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane did.
