Team Nigeria Turns to Athletics for Medals as Table Tennis and Beach Volleyball Exit Dakar 2026

Posted : 05 November 2026

Team Nigeria is looking towards athletics as its strongest opportunity for medals at the ongoing Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal following disappointing results in table tennis and beach volleyball.

Nigeria's two table tennis representatives, Mathew Kuti and Favour Ojo, have exited the singles competition. The country's women's beach volleyball pair, Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence, also bowed out after losing their quarter-final encounter against the Netherlands.

The Dutch pair of Jara Both and Matilda de Groot defeated the Nigerians 21-14, 21-16 at Saly Beach West on Tuesday. The defeat ended Bawa and Lawrence's hopes of reaching the medal stages after they had secured victories over Egypt and Thailand in earlier rounds.

Kuti also suffered disappointment despite recording a 3-1 victory over Tunisia's Youssef Aidli in the preliminary round. He had earlier lost 3-0 to Hong Kong's Ho Ki Li before falling 3-0 to Italy's Francesco Trevisan in his final group match.

Favour Ojo equally failed to progress from her singles group after losing her remaining matches.

Despite these setbacks, Nigerian sports officials remain optimistic about the country's prospects in athletics, which has the largest representation in the 19-member Nigerian delegation.

The athletics contingent comprises nine athletes, including five females and four males. They are led by Rosemary Nwankwo, who is expected to spearhead Nigeria's challenge in the track and field events.

Other representatives include Rita Chisom Ezeh, Treasure Omosiwe, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Obanla Ehuwa, Gift Oghenerunor and Godswill Nkemakolam.

Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, expressed confidence in the team's prospects, particularly Nwankwo's ability to compete for a podium finish.

"Being Team Nigeria's captain, I won't be surprised if Rosemary Nwankwo finishes on the podium due to the experience she has garnered at the World Relay in Botswana, as well as the African Senior Athletic Championships in Ghana," Olopade told The Guardian.

Several members of the athletics contingent also benefited from the NSC's Invited Junior Athletes programme, introduced in 2025 to identify and develop promising young sporting talents.

Nigeria has a strong historical connection with athletics at the Youth Olympic Games. At the inaugural Singapore 2010 edition, the country won four medals, including two gold, one silver and one bronze.

Nigeria also secured four medals at Buenos Aires 2018, comprising one gold and three silver. Athletics accounted for the country's gold medals at both editions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's four swimmers remain in competition, with their events scheduled to conclude on November 6. Athletics and road cycling are scheduled to take place between November 8 and 10.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which began on October 31, will run until November 13. The competition marks the first time an Olympic sporting event has been hosted on African soil.

Team Nigeria Turns to Athletics for Medals as Table Tennis and Beach Volleyball Exit Dakar 2026

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