The Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) has announced the team that will represent the country at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. The announcement was made by EOCGA Secretary General Maxwell Jele, accompanied by board members Pearl Muir Dlamini and Sibusiso Matsenjwa, during a press conference. The team consists of athletes and officials who will compete in three disciplines: swimming, athletics, and taekwondo. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
Eswatini's team for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games includes Luca Fraser, who will compete in the 50 metre breaststroke in swimming, with Mluleki Simelane as coach. In athletics, Knowledge Mkhwanazi will represent Eswatini in the 100 metres, with Muzi Mabuza as coach. Simisile Thwala will compete in the under 55 kilogram category in taekwondo, with Mbongeni Nzibandze as coach. The team will be led by Zakhele Zulu, who has been appointed Chef de Mission for Team Eswatini.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are expected to attract approximately 2,700 young athletes from over 200 National Olympic Committees, competing in 25 sporting codes. Eswatini's team will travel to Dakar in stages, based on the competition schedules of the respective athletes. The EOCGA has expressed its confidence in the team's abilities and has wished them a successful final preparation period ahead of the Games.
In addition to announcing the team for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the EOCGA also announced the appointment of Lerato Dlamini as the new director of the Olympafrica Centre. Dlamini takes over from Thoba Mazibuko and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the centre. Her duties will include overseeing operations and supporting the implementation of programmes and activities hosted at the facility.
The EOCGA has welcomed Dlamini to her new position and looks forward to her contribution towards the continued development and use of the Olympafrica Centre as a hub for sport, youth, and community development. The Olympafrica Centre plays a vital role in promoting sports development in Eswatini, and Dlamini's appointment is expected to bring new energy and ideas to the centre.
The team for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games has been tasked with representing Eswatini with pride and determination. The EOCGA has expressed its confidence in the team's abilities and has wished them success in the Games. The team's participation in the Games is expected to provide valuable experience and exposure for the young athletes, who will have the opportunity to compete against the best in the world.
With the team announced and preparations underway, Eswatini is set to make its presence felt at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The Games will provide a platform for the country's young athletes to showcase their talents and compete against the best in the world. The EOCGA's efforts to promote sports development in Eswatini are expected to yield positive results, with the team's participation in the Games being a significant step in this direction.
Key points
- Eswatini's team for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games includes Luca Fraser, Knowledge Mkhwanazi, and Simisile Thwala.
- The team will compete in three disciplines: swimming, athletics, and taekwondo.
- Lerato Dlamini has been appointed as the new director of the Olympafrica Centre.
