The official presentation ceremony of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy to the people of the Thiès region on Saturday, February 7, 2026, was an opportunity for Mr. Ababacar Sadikh Niang, Deputy Governor in charge of Development, to commend the exceptional mobilization of all local stakeholders in the region. "Your remarkable presence this afternoon testifies to your interest and your unwavering commitment to the values of patriotism, citizenship, and national pride, the foundations of harmonious development."

He expressed his delight that the Thiès region had the privilege of hosting the first stage of the "Dello Njukkel" Trophy Tour, organized by the Senegalese Football Federation under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He stated that the ceremony took place within a context of national cohesion, pride, and solidarity, as well as the celebration of our second continental title, recently achieved by the Lions of Teranga.

He emphasizes that through hard work, unity, solidarity, self-confidence, and love for the flag, Senegal can compete with the best and triumph everywhere on the international stage. "This spirit of solidarity, cohesion, discipline, self-improvement, and selflessness for the sole benefit of the nation, which has driven our valiant Lions throughout the competition, should," he says, "be a source of inspiration and motivation for every Senegalese."

For Governor Niang, the values embodied by our people—namely determination, dedication, faith, and unwavering perseverance—must guide us more than ever in our collective vision of building a sovereign, just, and prosperous nation rooted in strong values. He reminds us that the Thiès Region, a strategic crossroads and economic and industrial hub, has always embodied these core values through its valiant people. This has allowed it to position itself as a strategic development center for our beloved country.

He also stressed that this is what earned it the choice to host the first edition of the "Independence Program" initiated by His Excellency the President of the Republic, who will preside over the 66th edition of the celebration of the national Independence Day in Thiès on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

Mr. Niang added that the organization of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 13, in which the Thiès Region, along with that of Dakar, will have a crucial role to play, in order to succeed in this major international event, which puts our country in the spotlight of the whole world and invites us, from today, to prepare our minds, our bodies and our values for exemplary success.

To achieve this, the governor urges the people of Thiès to maintain this momentum in order to meet all the challenges that lie ahead. He therefore calls for continued hard work, discipline, and patriotism, the cornerstones of sustainable development. Thus, at school, on the football field, at the market, at the university, at the stadium, at work, in public spaces, and at home, he calls for everyone to consistently demonstrate exemplary conduct, civic-mindedness, and responsible citizenship.

Mr. Ababacar Sadikh Niang, who considers sport a factor in social cohesion and lasting peace, also invites everyone to be "proud" of their region and proud of their country. "Be exemplary ambassadors of these values, within your community and beyond. This brilliant trophy also reminds us that to achieve collective success, every effort counts and that success is the fruit of a long journey of work, resilience, self-improvement, and perseverance," he told them.

The Deputy Governor in charge of Development thanked and congratulated the Senegalese Football Federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for this beneficial initiative, not forgetting the Mayor of the City of Thiès, Dr. Babacar Diop, who spared no effort for the exceptional success of this beautiful ceremony.