Nwankwo, Kuti Lead Nigeria’s Medal Hopes At Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Nigeria will look to athletics prospect Rosemary Nwankwo and table tennis sensation Matthew Kuti to spearhead its medal challenge at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which begin in Senegal on Saturday.

The duo headline a 19-member Nigerian contingent comprising 12 female and seven male athletes competing in six sports at the quadrennial event, the first Olympic sporting competition to be hosted on African soil.

Nwankwo is among nine Nigerian athletes listed for athletics, where the country will also feature Treasure Omosiwe, Rita Chisom Ezeh, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Gift Oghenerunor, Obanla Ehuwa and Godswill Nkemakolam.

The athletics team will compete in events including the 100 metres, 100m hurdles, 400m, 400m hurdles, shot put, high jump and javelin.

Their performances will be crucial to Nigeria’s medal ambitions, with the sport accounting for almost half of the country’s representation at the Games.

Kuti, meanwhile, will lead Nigeria’s challenge in table tennis alongside Favour Ojo. Both will compete in the singles and mixed doubles events, as Nigeria seeks to translate its strength in the sport into podium finishes.

Kuti’s participation offers another opportunity for the young table tennis player to demonstrate his potential against some of the world’s best emerging talents.

Nigeria will also feature Shukurat Mayowa in the women’s 48kg boxing category, while Ringnan Danjuma will compete in the women’s road race and individual time trial in cycling.

Swimming will have four representatives: Akinsanmi Omolola, Kristabel Chisa Oldeide, Aidan Dumuje-Abili and Kashope Obatoyinbo.

In beach volleyball, Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence will form Nigeria’s women’s team, adding another medal prospect to the country’s campaign.

The Games will provide the Nigerian athletes with an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition, gain valuable experience and build towards future senior-level competitions.

Nigeria’s contingent is scheduled to depart Abuja for Dakar on 29 October, ahead of the opening ceremony at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Table tennis and beach volleyball competitions are scheduled to begin on the opening day, with swimming starting on 1 November. Boxing will run from 7 to 12 November, while athletics and road cycling will feature on selected dates between 8 and 10 November.

With 19 athletes spread across six sports, Nigeria will hope its emerging talents can convert their international exposure into medals at the historic Games.

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Salifu Abubakar Usman is the Sports Editor at Leadership Newspaper, with expertise spanning sports writing, research, analysis, media consultancy, and Hajj reportage. He is a Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).