Senegal Launches Organising Committee for 2015 U20 Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal has officially begun preparations for the 2015 U20 Africa Cup of Nations after the country’s Minister of Sports, Mbagnick Ndiaye, established the tournament’s organising committee on Wednesday. The competition is set to run from March 8 to March 22, 2015, and will be a major international sporting event for the West African nation.
The newly formed body, chaired by Diagna Ndiaye, comprises 11 sub-committees, each tasked with ensuring the smooth planning and execution of the tournament. The group’s primary mission will be to deliver a successful competition that highlights Senegal’s capacity to host major sporting events on the continent.
CAF, the Confederation of African Football, has already approved several stadiums for use during the competition. These include the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Caroline Faye Stadium in Fatick, and the Ngalandou Diouf Stadium in Rufisque.
Speaking at the committee’s inauguration, President Diagna Ndiaye expressed confidence in the team’s ability to meet the challenge: “I think I am well surrounded for this. We are going to do something that will mark Senegal in terms of organisation. Our wish is to realise a great football festival.” He emphasised the importance of putting players in the best possible conditions to perform.
Minister Mbagnick Ndiaye assured the public that the Senegalese government will provide the necessary support, stating, “The state will not skimp on the means to put the players in better conditions.” She also praised Diagna Ndiaye’s leadership, referencing his prior success managing the country’s football normalisation committee.
Adding to the optimism, Me Augustin Senghor, President of the Senegalese Football Federation, highlighted the tournament’s broader significance: “The junior CAN that Senegal will organise is a major asset to host the senior African Cup of Nations again.”
With a strong organisational structure in place and firm backing from the state and football authorities, Senegal is aiming not only to host a memorable tournament for the continent’s rising stars, but also to lay the groundwork for future senior-level competitions.
The U20 Africa Cup of Nations serves as a key developmental platform for African football talent and a qualifier for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, raising the stakes and visibility of the event in international football circles.
