Senegal has unveiled a new Sports Code featuring 11 key innovations designed to modernize and restructure the country’s sports sector.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture, the reform marks a significant departure from the outdated framework that had been in place since 1984.
The sweeping changes are part of a broader initiative led by Minister Khady Diene Gaye, who, upon taking office, identified the revision of the national sports texts as one of 17 high-priority projects for her department.
The updated code introduces a modern, legally robust structure intended to promote efficiency, fairness, and development across all levels of sport in Senegal.
At the heart of the reform is a plan to adapt the legal status of sports associations to align with contemporary global standards.
The new code also introduces a legal framework designed to attract private investment into physical and sporting activities, encouraging greater participation from the business sector in the growth of Senegalese sport.
Among the most notable provisions is the requirement for all sports infrastructures hosting public events to undergo a formal approval process.
In addition, sports groups involved in delivering public services will now be subject to mandatory accreditation, ensuring greater oversight and accountability.
Another central feature of the code is the implementation of performance-based agreements to strengthen federal support for sports federations, ensuring alignment with national strategic goals.
In a bid to preserve important venues, the legislation introduces sustainable management protocols for infrastructure deemed to be of national interest.
To address doping, the code sets forth specific legal measures aimed at prevention and enforcement.
It also aims to reform sports financing, offering more efficient mechanisms to ensure sustainable funding.
In an effort to enhance safety, criminal penalties will now apply to offenses that jeopardize the security of people and property at sporting events.
The code also includes the establishment of alternative dispute resolution methods, providing a formal path to resolve conflicts outside of traditional court systems.
Le Sénégal se dote d’un nouveau Code du Sport, adopté ce mercredi 23 Juillet 2025 en Conseil des ministres.
11 mesures phares pour moderniser la gouvernance, renforcer le financement, et mieux encadrer la pratique sportive à tous les niveaux.#wiwsport pic.twitter.com/Zs526f4djx
— wiwsport (@wiwsport) July 24, 2025
Finally, a National High-Level Sport Commission will be created to support elite athletes and streamline high-performance sport development in the country.
Together, these 11 innovations represent a significant step forward in shaping a future-ready sports environment in Senegal—one grounded in transparency, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability.
