Kenya has officially launched its campaign for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, with 53 athletes set to represent the country across 13 sporting disciplines at the first edition of the competition to be held on African soil.
The launch marks a key milestone in the country’s preparations for the global youth sporting extravaganza, with Kenya expected to field the second-largest delegation at the Games after hosts Senegal, who will have 139 athletes.
The event runs from October 31 to November 13, bringing together approximately 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under from 206 National Olympic Committees.
Team Kenya Chef de Mission Angela Luchivya said preparations had entered the final phase, with the athletes scheduled to begin a residential training camp in Mombasa on Monday before travelling to Dakar, Senegal.
The camp is expected to provide the athletes with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations, build team cohesion and sharpen their competitive edge ahead of the Games.
“From today, 15 days to go, it is all systems go. We are ready, and the journey begins,” said Luchivya during the team’s preparations briefing.
The athletes have been training under their respective federations to balance sporting preparations with their education. Several teams have also attended international training camps to assess their readiness, supported by Olympic Solidarity programmes.
The basketball 3×3 team trained in Senegal from October 6 to 9, while the rugby sevens squad is in Tunisia. Baseball5 recently returned from a preparatory tournament in Botswana, with beach wrestling scheduled to train in Mauritius before the Games.
Kenya will compete in athletics, rugby sevens, baseball5, basketball 3×3, swimming, road cycling, boxing, fencing, judo, wushu, beach handball, beach wrestling and triathlon.
Luchivya said the expanded delegation marked a significant step towards diversifying Kenya’s traditional strength in athletics and developing talent across other sporting disciplines.
Kenya has previously sent a maximum of 18 athletes to the Youth Olympic Games, making this year’s contingent nearly three times larger.
“We are hoping to improve our medal tally while using these Games to develop more sports disciplines for the future,” she said.
Women will make up the bulk of the delegation, with 42 female athletes accounting for approximately 79 per cent of the team. Team Kenya officials said the representation reflected growing opportunities for young women in competitive sport.
Beyond competition, athlete welfare remains a key priority. The management has put in place medical support, physiotherapy, mental health assistance and safeguarding officers to ensure the young competitors are adequately supported throughout the Games.
Chief Executive Officer Kerubo Momanyi said logistical preparations, including accommodation, transport, competition kits and medical supplies, had been coordinated through an integrated operational plan.
The team is also working with the Kenyan Embassy in Senegal to provide familiar foods, including maize flour and traditional vegetables, to minimise cultural and dietary challenges.
Officials are coordinating with schools and the Ministry of Education to ensure athletes who miss examinations during the Games can sit special examinations upon returning home.
Team Kenya leadership has also emphasised clean sport, with anti-doping education planned to sensitise the young athletes on the importance of fair competition.
National Olympic Committee of Kenya officials urged the media, federations and other stakeholders to work together in supporting the team, stressing that the Youth Olympic Games should be viewed as a foundation for future Olympic success.
With preparations gathering pace, Kenya will be hoping to make a strong impression on the international stage, with the Dakar experience expected to deliver not only medals but also nurture the next generation of athletes capable of competing at the senior Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032
