Burkina Faso is preparing to celebrate sportsmanship and solidarity during the second edition of the Alliance of Sahel States Games (JAES), scheduled to take place in Ouagadougou from September 7 to 16, 2026.
Approximately 540 participants, including competitors, trainers, and representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, will gather in the capital city. Organizers revealed during a press briefing at the Stade du 4-Août that the event will host 376 competitors alongside 164 coaches and delegation officials.
Eleven sports on the program
Athletes from the three member nations of the Alliance of Sahel States will compete across eleven different athletic disciplines. The program features athletics, boxing, cycling, football, handball, judo, karate, kung-fu wushu, wrestling, taekwondo, and archery.
Venues across Ouagadougou are ready to host the various matches and competitions. Events will be held at the Stade du 4-Août, the Palais des Sports de Ouaga 2000, the CNOSB martial arts hall, the National Medico-Sports Center, Boulevard Capitaine Isidore-Noël-Thomas-Sankara, and the Hamdalaye Hippodrome.
Enhanced measures for security and reception
Participating delegations will arrive in Ouagadougou on September 5 and 6, with departures set for September 17. The official launch ceremony will commence at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, September 8, inside the Palais des Sports de Ouaga 2000.
Local authorities have confirmed that rigorous inspections and safety protocols have been implemented across all competition venues and accommodation facilities. Specialized arrangements are in place to ensure smooth transit and welcoming conditions for the delegations, alongside heightened security around all sporting complexes.
Using sports to build regional unity
Organized under the high patronage of the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, this edition of the tournament transcends simple athletic competition. The organizers aim to utilize these athletic events as a powerful tool to foster closer relationships and solidarity among the populations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
This gathering is also designed to boost tourism and economic activity within Ouagadougou, while actively supporting the growth of local and regional athletic programs.
As the starting date approaches, local leaders are calling on the public, particularly the residents of Ouagadougou, to turn out in large numbers to support the competitors and transform the tournament into a grand celebration of unity and friendship.
