The World Dodgeball Federation is proud to support the launch of the “Dodgeball for Development in Africa (D4DA)” initiative, a major pan-African project designed to use dodgeball as a platform for youth development, social inclusion, peacebuilding, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

Developed through the leadership of the African Dodgeball Confederation and the Fédération Ivoirienne de Dodgeball, the D4DA initiative outlines a long-term strategy to expand structured dodgeball development across 30 African countries between 2026 and 2030. The project combines sport development with broader social objectives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including education, gender equity, climate awareness, community resilience, and youth empowerment.

As part of this important milestone, the Ministry of Sports of Côte d’Ivoire has formally provided institutional support for the D4DA initiative, recognizing the value of the program and endorsing its implementation efforts.

The D4DA framework positions dodgeball as an accessible and inclusive sport capable of creating positive social impact in schools, communities, and underserved regions. The program includes objectives such as:

• Supporting the development and professionalization of national dodgeball federations;
• Expanding opportunities for women and girls in sport leadership and participation;
• Delivering coaching, officiating, and governance education programs;
• Promoting peacebuilding and social cohesion through community sport initiatives;
• Integrating environmental education and sustainability into dodgeball programming;
• Creating pathways for youth entrepreneurship and sport-related economic activity.

The initiative also proposes the creation of regional training networks, community leagues, educational infrastructure projects, climate-focused sport campaigns, and continental cooperation programs involving governments, schools, NGOs, universities, and international organizations.

In an official letter of support, WDBF President Duane Wysynski described the initiative as “a high-potential continental development program” aligned with both the WDBF strategic vision and international sport-for-development priorities. The WDBF confirmed its intention to support the initiative through governance guidance, technical development, equipment access, competition pathways, women and youth programming, partnership development, and international promotion.

The D4DA initiative reflects the continued growth of dodgeball throughout Africa and builds upon recent milestones including the establishment of the African Dodgeball Confederation and the successful organization of continental championships involving federations from across the region.

The WDBF believes that projects such as D4DA demonstrate the unique ability of sport to foster inclusion, cooperation, education, and sustainable development. Through collaboration with African stakeholders and international partners, the federation looks forward to supporting the continued growth of dodgeball as both a competitive sport and a tool for positive social impact.

The WDBF congratulates all organizations and leaders involved in the development of this initiative and looks forward to continued collaboration in advancing dodgeball across the African continent.