Ouagadougou: The first edition of the Maracana 'Yaolem Neere' football tournament was launched on Saturday at the grounds of the Barsalogho Departmental High School, with the aim of strengthening social cohesion between host populations, internally displaced persons, and returning populations. The launch ceremony took place in the presence of municipal authorities and a large public turnout. The opening match pitted the team from the gendarmerie detachment against that of Force Tranquille and ended with a score of 2 goals to 1 for the gendarmes.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the tournament promoter, Youl David, explained that the name "Yaolem Neere" is a call to youth for brotherhood and social cohesion for a better future. "My goal is to restore that joy of living and that nostalgia for the past to the returning populations. We hope to revive social cohesion in Barsalogho," he said.

The president of the special municipal delegation of Barsalogho, Mathias Pal© Sansa, praised the initiative for promoting resilience and living together. "Bringing together the young people of Barsalogho around resilience, community spirit, social cohesion, and discipline is an initiative that deserves to be commended, supported, and encouraged," he stated, calling on all involved to demonstrate solidarity and fair play.

Eight teams are set to compete in the tournament, which will span two weeks and conclude with a final match on August 15, 2026.