UFAK Answers the WKF’s Call for the Olympic Campaign
UFAK Answers the WKF’s Call and Takes the Lead in the Olympic Campaign
Souleymane Gaye Selected as a Torchbearer for Dakar 2026
The African Karate Union (UFAK) has responded to the call of the World Karate Federation (WKF) for a collective mobilisation in support of karate's Olympic future.
At a particularly significant moment for the international karate community, UFAK President Souleymane Gaye has been officially selected as one of the torchbearers for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
His selection places a leading figure of African karate at the heart of an important Olympic event on African soil and provides a powerful opportunity to connect the values of karate with the Olympic movement.
Souleymane Gaye to Carry the Olympic Flame
Souleymane Gaye has been selected to participate in the Dakar 2026 Olympic Torch Relay, with his relay scheduled for the Grand Dakar/Biscuiterie area as part of the national tour.
The Dakar 2026 Organising Committee has included Souleymane Gaye among the torchbearers for the Dakar stage of the Olympic Flame tour. The Grand Dakar/Biscuiterie relay forms part of a route continuing through several neighbourhoods of Dakar before the flame reaches the final stages of the day's programme.
For the UFAK President, carrying the Olympic Flame represents a meaningful connection between African sport, the Olympic values and the youth of the continent.
It also places African karate within a broader Olympic narrative at a time when the international karate community is preparing for the next opportunity to strengthen the sport's position within the Olympic Movement.
From Dakar to Brisbane: A Collective Olympic Ambition
The World Karate Federation has called on the global karate family to mobilise around the objective of strengthening karate's case for future Olympic inclusion, with Brisbane 2032 representing an important horizon.
The campaign requires more than the work of the WKF alone. National and continental federations have an important role to play by promoting karate within their respective Olympic and sporting structures, strengthening institutional relationships and demonstrating the sport's global reach and contribution.
For Africa, this responsibility falls naturally within the mission of UFAK and its member federations.
The continent has a large and diverse karate community, with national federations working to develop athletes, coaches, referees, officials and organisational structures. The continued development of these areas contributes to the broader international profile of African karate.
UFAK Supporting the WKF Initiative
Under the leadership of Souleymane Gaye, UFAK is supporting the international mobilisation around karate's Olympic future.
The Union's role is to ensure that African National Federations are informed about the importance of the Olympic campaign and encouraged to contribute to the collective effort.
This includes strengthening communication with National Olympic Committees, sports authorities and national institutions, while highlighting the contribution of karate to youth development, education, sporting participation and social engagement.
The Olympic campaign is therefore not simply an international communication initiative. It is also an opportunity for African federations to strengthen their own national structures and demonstrate the value of karate within their sporting communities.
The Symbolism of the Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame carries a particular significance for the Youth Olympic Games.
Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic event held on the African continent, making the Games an important milestone for African sport and for the young generation of athletes.
The participation of Souleymane Gaye in the torch relay adds a connection between African karate and this historic Olympic occasion.
The image of the UFAK President carrying the Olympic Flame in Dakar also reflects a broader message: African karate is part of the continent's sporting development and is committed to contributing to the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence.
A Message to African Karate Federations
UFAK calls on all African National Karate Federations to remain actively engaged in the collective effort to strengthen the position of karate within the Olympic Movement.
Each federation can contribute by:
- Maintaining strong relationships with its National Olympic Committee;
- Engaging with national sports and government authorities;
- Promoting the educational and social dimensions of karate;
- Documenting the development and participation of karate at national level;
- Supporting athletes and developing high-level national teams;
- Strengthening coaching, refereeing and technical structures;
- Sharing official WKF and UFAK communication concerning the Olympic campaign.
The strength of the international campaign will depend on the ability of the global karate family to communicate with a coherent and united voice.
Africa Has a Role to Play
The selection of Souleymane Gaye as a Dakar 2026 torchbearer comes at an important time for African karate.
From the national federations to UFAK, and from the continental level to the WKF, every level of the karate structure has a role to play in supporting the sport's international development.
The Dakar 2026 Olympic Flame provides a powerful moment of visibility for African sport. For UFAK, it is also an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the Olympic values and to the continued development and promotion of karate throughout the continent.
As the karate community looks towards Brisbane 2032, the message from Africa is clear: the Olympic future of karate requires collective commitment, institutional engagement and action at every level.
UFAK is ready to contribute.
African Karate Union (UFAK)
In support of the World Karate Federation (WKF) and the Olympic future of karate.
