Youth Olympics: Nigeria names 19 athletes for Dakar 2026

Some of the young athletes

Nigeria will be represented by 19 athletes across six sports at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with the country’s contingent putting finishing touches to its preparations ahead of the competition, which begins in Senegal on 31 October.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) said the team comprises 12 female and seven male athletes who will compete in athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.

The Games, scheduled to run until 13 November, will be the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil.

The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place across three host zones in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, with young athletes from across the world expected to compete.

Athletics will have Nigeria’s largest contingent, with nine athletes comprising five women and four men.

Swimming will feature four athletes, split equally between women and men, while table tennis will have two representatives, one male and one female.

Nigeria will also field one female boxer, one female road cyclist and a two-athlete women’s beach volleyball team.

According to the NSC, the contingent is undergoing final preparations following a 21-day local camping programme that began on 9 October and is scheduled to end on 29 October.

The programme has included medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical training, kit fitting, travel documentation and other preparations for the Games.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 31 October at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium. Competitions in table tennis and beach volleyball are also expected to begin that day.

The Youth Olympic Games will offer Nigeria’s emerging athletes an opportunity to gain international experience, compete against some of the world’s best young talents and prepare for future senior-level competitions, including the Olympic Games.

As the countdown continues, the NSC has urged the athletes to represent the country with distinction and translate their preparations into strong performances in Senegal.