The 42-year-old competed for his country at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and is now looking forward to organising an event on home soil.

Dièye is no stranger to sporting roles having served as secretary general of the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) since 2021.

"Being a former athlete will be an advantage, because I'm already familiar with the demands of the top level, as well as the rigor in work and the quest to do well in order to achieve better results," Dièye said. 

"In my new role, it's not the same thing, but we'll all do our utmost to succeed in this mission.

"I'd like to thank the President of Dakar 2026, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, and his coordinator, Ibrahima Wade, for this appointment as Dakar 2026 sports director. 

"My priority is to really prepare a great team to deliver the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games."

Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic Games of any description in Africa.

The Games were originally scheduled for 2022 before being pushed back during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Young athletes can look forward to unique games in Africa for the first time on African soil," Dièye said. 

"Games of cultural festivity. 

"For taekwondo, I have no doubt that the Senegalese Taekwondo Federation, with its experience in organisation, will take advantage of World Taekwondo and AFTU to make this a fantastic competition. 

"But I think that the legacy of these Games will be beneficial for Senegal and also for Africa."