Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics: Rosemary Nwankwo Leads Team Nigeria’s Athletics Squad

Posted : 31 October 2026

Nigeria will rely on rising track talent Rosemary Nwankwo and table tennis prospect Matthew Kuti to lead its medal ambitions at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

The competition begins on Saturday, October 31, and will make history as the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil. The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will run until November 13 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

Team Nigeria will feature 19 athletes, comprising 12 girls and seven boys, competing across six sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.

Athletics accounts for the country's largest representation, with nine athletes selected for different track and field events. The team includes Treasure Omosiwe, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rita Chisom Ezeh, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Gift Oghenerunor, Obanla Ehuwa and Godswill Nkemakolam.

Nwankwo has been appointed captain of the athletics team. The Nigerian athletes will compete in the 100m, 100m hurdles, 400m, 400m hurdles, 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 representatives: Akinsanmi Omolola, Kristabel Chisa Oldeide, Aidan Dumuje-Abili and Kashope Obatoyinbo.

Nigeria's table tennis team comprises Favour Ojo and Matthew Kuti, who will compete in the singles and mixed doubles events. Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence will complete the contingent in women's beach volleyball.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Aquatic Federation President and Lagos State Sports Commission Director General, Lekan Fatodu, has expressed confidence in the country's swimming representatives.

Fatodu believes the four swimmers have the ability to deliver impressive performances in Senegal. He also indicated his intention to travel to Dakar to support the athletes if his schedule permits.

"This is the Youth Olympics, and I am confident the four Nigerian swimmers (two boys and two girls) will do us proud in Dakar. If time permits me, I will be in Dakar to cheer Team Nigeria in Senegal," Fatodu told The Guardian.

Team Nigeria completed a 21-day preparation camp in Abuja before departing for Senegal on October 29. The programme included medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical training, equipment fitting and travel preparations.

The opening ceremony will take place at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on October 31. Table tennis and beach volleyball competitions will also begin on the opening day, while swimming starts on November 1.

Boxing is scheduled for November 7 to 12, with athletics and road cycling taking place between November 8 and 10.

The National Sports Commission believes the competition will provide valuable international exposure for Nigeria's emerging talents as they build experience towards future senior-level competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics: Rosemary Nwankwo Leads Team Nigeria’s Athletics Squad

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