15 African stars selected for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Fifteen of Africa’s most promising young table tennis players have secured places at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 in Senegal, the first Olympic event ever staged on African soil.

The athletes are among 64 competitors selected for the table tennis event, which will run from 31 October to 5 November during the Games (31 October to 13 November 2026).

A total of 41 National Olympic Committees will be represented, with 32 male and 32 female players competing in men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles.

Africa’s boys’ contingent is led by Algeria’s Aylan Goudjil, alongside Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti, Benin’s Ganiou Abdourahaman, Egypt’s Abdelmalk Elsayed, Senegal’s Amador Ferrer, Tunisia’s Youssef Aidli and Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira.

In the girls’ event, Nigeria’s Favour Ojo heads the group that includes Algeria’s Tania Morice, Egypt’s Yara Elbadawy, Ghana’s Joanita Borteye, Madagascar’s Tina Andriantahina, Senegal’s Marieme Diallo, Tunisia’s Ela Saidi and Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala.

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The International Table Tennis Federation said the field reflects the sport’s expanding global reach, with traditional powers such as China, Japan, Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Germany and France competing alongside emerging nations.

Host nation Senegal will have particular cause for optimism as Amador Ferrer and Marieme Diallo prepare to compete in front of home supporters in both singles and mixed doubles.

For Africa’s 15 young stars, Dakar 2026 offers the chance to compete for medals and to be part of a historic chapter in Olympic history on home soil.

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