BAMAKO—Burkina Faso’s Minister of Sports, Youth, and Employment, Anûuyirtole Roland Somda, embarked on a multifaceted visit to Mali, engaging in key sports and diplomatic events, including a football match and an international youth conference. His itinerary underscores an ongoing commitment to enhancing Sahel regional cooperation.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Somda’s visit began with his participation at the inaugural event of the Barema Bocoum Stadium in Mopti on Monday, approved recently by the African Football Confederation (CAF). The newly inaugurated stadium hosted the minister alongside his Malian counterpart, Abdoul Kassim Fomba, highlighting the collaborative spirit between the two nations.
Following the stadium event, Minister Somda arrived in Bamako, where he was welcomed by a delegation from Burkina Faso, including athletes from the national football team, the Stallions. This visit coincides with the Stallions’ match against Malawi for the African Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers, set to occur at the Stade du 26 Mars on Tuesday.
Additionally, Minister Somda will attend the launching ceremony of the International Youth Conference in Bamako, marking his involvement in significant youth-oriented diplomatic engagements. His itinerary also includes tours of various sports infrastructures in Bamako, further emphasizing the sports-centric focus of his visit.
This series of engagements is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties in sports and youth sectors among members of the Alliance of Sahel States, an initiative aimed at bolstering regional cooperation and development.