Ouagadougou:Burkinabe athletes have achieved significant success by securing 1,475 medals across 460 international competitions between 2022 and 2026, including the country's first Olympic medal by Hugues Fabrice Zango, according to the Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment, Annick Lydie Djouma Pikbougoum.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Pikbougoum presented these results during the government's exhibition, a key event of the National Days of Patriotic Commitment and Citizen Participation (JEPPC). She also noted the registration of 171 sports spaces during this period.
In terms of infrastructure, the minister highlighted the renovation of the August 4th Stadium to meet FIFA standards and ongoing projects such as the construction of the 15,000-seat Lguma Stadium and a multi-sports complex in Bobo-Dioulasso. Additional developments include a sports hotel and facilities like a medical care laboratory for athletes and a wrestling arena in Toma.
The ministry's report also emphasized initiatives for youth engagement and learning, with over 500,000 people educated about the People's Progressive Revolution ideals, and entrepreneurship training provided to over 300,000 young individuals. Furthermore, the "Revolutionary Youth on the March" initiative involved 30,000 participants, and about 161,500 national volunteers were mobilized for development efforts.
In employment, the department funded 12,688 projects, including 5,415 led by women, and supported over 28,000 young people through the ROPI program. The report states that 25,004 job seekers were placed in jobs, and 29,116 informal workers received training to formalize their businesses.
For the future, the ministry plans to implement the "Kombis yiir sayan" initiative with a budget of 463.81 billion FCFA by 2031. The program aims to train and equip 10.53 million young people, mobilize 204,000 volunteers, create 35,000 jobs, and enhance the sports ecosystem by increasing participation rates and developing facilities.
The department is also considering the "Faso Relève Sportive" operation, establishing sports academies in all regions, and developing a modern archery range in Gaoua.