On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the track at Lycée Moderne 2 in Dimbokro vibrated to the rhythm of the regional final for the detection of young talents . Organized by the Ivorian Athletics Federation (FIA), this event brought together 160 young athletes (70 girls and 90 boys) aged 12 to 17, from Toumodi, Bocanda and Dimbokro.

A clear objective: To uncover the raw potential

Far from stopping at simple stopwatches, the FIA, under the impetus of its president Kouamé Kouadio Jeannot , favours the analysis of natural aptitudes.

"We are looking at coordination, morphology and the ability to evolve, rather than pure performance," the president emphasized.

The idea is to identify versatile profiles, capable of shining in disciplines where they are not necessarily expected, in order to build a solid next generation for Ivorian athletics.

Competition highlights

The participants competed in a variety of events testing all facets of athletics:

1. Speed: 30m and 60m.
2. Jumps: Vertical jump (Sargent Test) and long jump.
3. Throws: Shot put.

For Zéréoué Marlet , regional technical director, the results are promising. After a rigorous selection process in the three localities, the emerging talents suggest a succession of quality for national icons like Marie-Josée Ta Lou or Murielle Ahouré .

Sport and Studies: The Successful Duo

The FIA's vision doesn't stop at the stadium boundaries. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting young people through:

1. Coaching in clubs and regional centers (particularly in Dimbokro).
2. Possible integration into the AADC (African Athletics Development Centre) in Abidjan.
3. School reconciliation: The president stressed the importance of the school curriculum, recalling that high-level sport and academic success are compatible.

Thirteen-year-old Okah Hermine Flore Rosine , winner of the 600m, embodies this ambition. Her dream? To follow in the footsteps of her elders and proudly represent Ivory Coast.

Did you know? This initiative, crucial for the future of Ivorian sport, benefits from the financial and logistical support of the Kaydan Group , a major partner committed to the development of national athletics.