Two Days to Go: Rosemary Nwankwo, Matthew Kuti, 17 Others Listed as Nigeria Gets Ready for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
Track youngster Rosemary Nwankwo and table tennis sensation, Matthew Kuti alongside 17 other Nigerian athletes are set to represent the country across six sports at the historic 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, which begins on 31 October.
The event will be the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil.
Nigeria’s 19 athletes, comprising 12 women and seven men, will compete in athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball, as the country looks to showcase its emerging sporting talents on the international stage.
Athletics will lead Nigeria’s representation with nine athletes, including Treasure Omosiwe, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rita Chisom Ezeh, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Gift Oghenerunor, Obanla Ehuwa and Godswill Nkemakolam.
The Nigerian contingent in athletics will compete in various events, including the 100m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 400m, shot put, high jump and javelin throw.
In boxing, Shukurat Mayowa will represent Nigeria in the women’s 48kg category, while Ringnan Danjuma will compete in the women’s road race and individual time trial in cycling.
Swimming will feature four Nigerian athletes: Akinsanmi Omolola, Kristabel Chisa Oldeide, Aidan Dumuje-Abili and Kashope Obatoyinbo.
Nigeria’s table tennis representatives are Favour Ojo and Mathew Kuti, who will compete in the singles and mixed doubles events.
The country will also field a two-athlete women’s beach volleyball team comprising Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence.
Team Nigeria is scheduled to depart Abuja for Dakar on 29th October, with the opening ceremony taking place on 31st October at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium.
Competitions in table tennis and beach volleyball will begin on the opening day, while swimming starts on 1 November. Boxing is scheduled for 7 to 12 November, with athletics and road cycling taking place on selected dates between 8 and 10 November.
The Youth Olympic Games provide an important platform for Nigeria’s young athletes to gain international exposure, compete against some of the best emerging talents in the world and build experience for future elite competitions.
