Benoît Dato : « Ensemble, let's reveal Benin through its sport »

Tuesday 08 October 2024, the Ministry of Sports, under the direction of M. Benoît Dato, has taken a decisive step in the structuring of national sport by signing contracts with 142 technical executives recruited to support the National Technical Directorates (DTN) of the country's main sports federations. This vast recruitment concerns several disciplines, especially athletics, football, le basketball, handball and volleyball, and reflects the commitment of the Beninese government to the development of local sporting talents.

Among the selected executives are four national technical directors (DTN), twelve assistant directors, a general manager and his assistant, as well as a team composed of 32 head national coaches, 28 assistants, 13 goalkeeper coaches, 46 regional technical advisors, and 5 physical trainers. This massive system aims to strengthen the detection and training of young talents in the U15 categories., U17, U20 and U23, both in men and women. During the ceremony, Minister Benoît Dato reaffirmed the will of the government, under the leadership of President Patrice Talon, to give new impetus to Beninese sport.

He also insisted on the high expectations placed on these technicians, whose personal investment is considered crucial for the success of the project of detection and supervision of young athletes throughout the country. “We seal this day, an essential agreement which is based on strong values ​​namely : l’engagement, ethics, performance and responsibility », he indicated before adding “By providing you with the means necessary to accomplish your mission, the Government expects a total investment from you for the success of this project. Since then, I inform you that each resource made available to each and every one of you by the State will be subject to diligent and rigorous controls”.

This initiative is hailed as a major step forward for Beninese sport, with qualified professionals now deployed in the different departments of the country, even in the most remote areas, to identify and train the talents of tomorrow. The Minister of Sports closed the ceremony with an inspiring message : « Ensemble, let's write new pages in our sporting history. Ensemble, let's reveal Benin through its sport. »

Romeo AKLOZO