Allianz launches MoveNow at Dakar 2026 to create lasting sporting opportunities for local youth
Sixty young people from local communities in Dakar enjoyed an afternoon of basketball, skills challenges and dancing on 1 November as they took part in the launch of MoveNow Dakar, an initiative supported by Worldwide Olympic Partner Allianz. MoveNow Dakar aims to give more children opportunities to participate in sport during and after the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Key Facts
- Allianz's MoveNow at Dakar 2026 uses sport to create inclusive youth development opportunities and a lasting Dakar 2026 legacy.
- The programme aims to reach 1,000+ children through 90+ sessions across Dakar and Saly over six to nine months.
- MoveNow combines sport, life-skills education and coach training to strengthen community participation and inclusion beyond the Youth Olympic Games.
Held at the Cité Djily Mbaye Basketball Court in Dakar's Yoff district, the event saw local children aged from 12 to 16, including 10 living with disabilities, rotate between a series of fun, coach-led activities where they practised their dribbling, passing and shooting skills while learning about teamwork and perseverance. A DJ provided the soundtrack to the afternoon, adding to the lively atmosphere, while participants also received MoveNow sports gear to take home.
The launch marked the beginning of a wider programme developed by Allianz in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee. The initiative aims to build on the excitement surrounding Dakar 2026, the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent, by creating lasting opportunities for young people in local communities.
“It taught me to never give up”
Launched in 2022, MoveNow was developed by Allianz in partnership with the IOC and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), initially to encourage young people to stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The programme is built around three pillars: Move the Mind, focusing on resilience and mental well-being; Move the Body, promoting physical activity and participation in sport; and Move Society, fostering inclusion, belonging and stronger communities.
“Over the years, MoveNow has evolved into our global social impact strategy, while remaining tightly linked to our partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic movements. The strong focus lies on the support for both youth and athletes,” explained Marleen Wernstedt, Partnership & Sponsoring Manager at Allianz.
The Youth Olympic Games bring all of this together, and for us, they represent a unique opportunity to use this historic first Olympic sporting event in Africa to create something positive for the people of Dakar. Something that will live on even after the Games have finished. We want to ensure that young people continue to have access to sport and opportunities to develop their skills.
For the young participants, the launch event provided an opportunity to discover new activities, make friends and experience the benefits of sport first-hand.
“It was my first time playing basketball,” said 12-year-old Rachid. “I really enjoyed trying to shoot the ball into the basket. It taught me to never give up. I also learned that sport can help us become more confident and communicate better with others.”
Monica, 16, added: “I enjoyed passing the ball and playing together as a team. Everyone is important in a team, and we learned to share and help each other. It was also an opportunity to improve our skills and show people what we can achieve.”
Creating opportunities beyond the Games
While the launch brought young people together for an afternoon of sport, MoveNow Dakar is designed to have an impact well beyond one single event.
The programme aims to deliver a series of activations across Dakar and Saly, combining participation in sport with life-skills development while promoting access and inclusion, particularly for girls and young people with disabilities. It will be rolled out over the next six to nine months, delivering more than 90 sessions across Dakar and Saly and reaching at least 1,000 children. In addition to participation targets, it is designed to create a lasting legacy by building local capacity, equipping coaches with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to continue delivering activities in their communities long after the initial programme has concluded.
As part of this approach, local coaches will be trained and supported as well by donated equipment and activity resources that can remain in community venues and be used for future sessions.
Sport can be a powerful catalyst for health, learning and inclusion. Beyond developing sporting skills, the programme aims to equip young people with the confidence, values and life skills needed to reach their potential, while creating opportunities for participation, belonging and connection within their communities.
Allianz became a Worldwide Olympic Partner in 2021 as the exclusive Insurance Partner through to 2032, building on its long-term support of the International Paralympic Committee, which began in 2006. Through this partnership, Allianz provides insurance solutions that support the Olympic and Paralympic ecosystem, including Organising Committees, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, teams and athletes, while promoting inclusion and connection.