Saly Sarr urges CONFEJES to maintain athlete grants

Saly Sarr has called on CONFEJES to continue its scholarship programme for young athletes from French-speaking countries, saying the support can help them reach the conditions needed to perform at their best. The Senegalese triple jumper made the appeal during a meeting with the organisation’s secretary general, Louisette-Renée Thobi Etame Ndedi.

Sarr presented her latest international medals during the meeting. Her recent season included victory in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, held in Budapest on September 13. The result strengthened her standing as one of Senegal’s leading athletes, while her appeal focused on ensuring that similar support remains available to the next generation.

A former CONFEJES scholarship recipient, Sarr said the programme helped her begin her career before she later secured an Olympic scholarship. Ndedi praised the athlete’s humility and described her progress as a source of pride for the organisation, which identified her early in her development.

Ndedi also said CONFEJES would continue seeking scholarships for athletes from Francophone countries despite limited resources. France, one of the organisation’s major members, remains the main funder of its athlete-support programme. Sarr’s intervention therefore links her own rise to the continuation of a scheme she credits with helping launch her career.