Ndar Rowing installed in Saint-Louis to develop rowing October 4, 2026

On the sidelines of the passage of the Olympic Flame of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026, the National Rowing Promotion Committee (CNPA) proceeded, on Saturday, to the official installation of Ndar Rowing, its development committee in Saint-Louis. The initiative aims to strengthen the practice of rowing in a city whose history and identity are closely linked to water.

Saint-Louis welcomes a new stage in the development of rowing in Senegal. The National Rowing Promotion Committee (CNPA), established last August, chose the northern capital to carry out its first national outing and officially set up Ndar Rowing. The ceremony was marked by a demonstration and an introduction to indoor rowing, particularly for young people. For the president of the CNPA, Cheikh Moubarack Wade, this initiative allows the structure to honor the Olympic Flame while strengthening its local presence.

“We came today to both honor the Olympic Flame which has just arrived in Saint-Louis as part of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and also to officially set up the rowing development committee in Saint-Louis,” he declared. The new committee will have the particular mission of representing the CNPA to local authorities and contributing to the creation of clubs. The ambition is to make Saint-Louis a true regional rowing hub. “It is also about having a regional hub with the North, Langue de Barbarie, Gandiol and Bango, Bango Village and the UGB,” said Cheikh Moubarack Wade. He believes that the city has significant assets to develop this Olympic discipline. While rowing is on the program for the YOG Dakar 2026, the CNPA is banking on the progress of young athletes. The first results obtained in Tunisia are considered encouraging. “These regattas allowed us to rank third with a gold medal,” said the president.

The manager also highlights the rapid progress of young people who have only been rowing for a year. For the YOG, two young people are already targeted. “We are calm and confident that they will be in the best timing to be optimistic, in the best ranking for their first participations,” he assured. Through Ndar Rowing, the CNPA intends to permanently place rowing in the Saint-Louis sporting landscape and encourage new vocations among young people.