Senegal: Conference on Professionalization of Sport in Africa

Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) and the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) are pleased to announce the organisation of a joint conference on the theme "Professionalization of Sport in Africa".  The conference will take place on October 14, 2011 in Dakar (Senegal).

Chaired by the Rector of UCAD, the conference falls within the scope of a joint commitment to develop the activities of CIES and of the partner universities of the FIFA/CIES International University Network.  It will address the issue of “Professionalization of Sport in Africa” and the many challenges with which it is faced.

The conference will be organised around three round tables which will first discuss stakeholders in professionalization of sport, then innovative projects in the framework of professionalization, and finally, the media coverage needed to ensure full efficiency.

The professionalization of sport in Africa has been a key issue for several years.  Faced with constant migration of the best athletes to Europe, the absence of structures and media coverage of national competitions, national and international sports bodies are exploring long-term projects to implement solid partnerships and foundations with a view to improving the quality of clubs at African level, raising the level of championships and consolidating the efforts made by earlier pilot projects.

Leading national and international speakers will take part in the discussions, including CAF Secretary General Hicham El Amrani, Senegalese Football Federation President Augustin Senghor, Sampon Kablan, FIFA Development Officer for West Africa, Philippe Diallo, President of the Union of Professional Football Clubs, Pape Diouf, former President of Olympique de Marseille, Saer Saeck, Diambars Association of Dakar, Abdoulayé Dabo, Senegalese Radio Television, as well as a representative of the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Senegal.

Registration and information:

Astou Dramé

Tel.:       +221 33 8233384 / +221 77 9213736

[email protected]