Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Chef de Mission Angela Luchivya has challenged Kenya's 54-athlete team to turn its preparations into strong performances when the Games are held in Senegal from October 31 to November 13. The team, comprising athletes from 13 disciplines, including wushu, judo, and athletics, is set to compete against top athletes from around the world. Luchivya emphasized the importance of discipline, teamwork, and adaptability in the team's preparation.
Kenya's team has had exposure through various competitions, including the recently concluded Zone Five Youth Games in Nairobi. The team topped the judo standings with five gold, three silver, and one bronze medals, while its swimmers collected 12 medals. Athletics produced victories through Bramwel Chasala in the 200m and Wilson Chepkwech in the 1,500m. These results have provided confidence for the team without creating unnecessary pressure.
Luchivya stressed that preparations go beyond physical training to include discipline, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to a new environment. She said the objective is to send athletes who are ready to compete and learn from the experience. The team must understand that Dakar is both a competition and an opportunity to begin building their international careers.
The Zone Five Youth Games in Nairobi provided an important test for the team and allowed technical officials to assess the athletes ahead of Dakar. The results showed that Kenya's athletes can compete, but also reminded them that there is still work to do. Luchivya said the lessons from those Games will be used to improve before Dakar.
Dakar 2026 will feature about 2,700 athletes competing across 25 sports and will be the first Olympic or Youth Olympic Games staged on African soil. Luchivya said the delegation would also prepare the athletes for the cultural and educational aspects of the Games. The team will be exposed to athletes from across the world and experiences outside their usual training environment.
The Nairobi Games also gave some athletes an opportunity to strengthen their cases for selection and international competition. Chasala, for instance, used his 200m victory to strengthen his case for Dakar selection after missing the World Junior Championships. The final weeks will focus on sharpening the athletes' technical and physical readiness for the multi-sport Games environment.
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has identified the Dakar Youth Olympic Games as part of Kenya's wider athlete-development pathway. The organisation's Team Kenya programme covers athletes, coaches, and delegations. The Olympic flame for Dakar was lit at Athens' Panathenaic Stadium on September 10, and the remaining task for the delegation is to fine-tune preparations before departure for Senegal.
Key points
- Kenya's 54-athlete team is set to compete in 13 disciplines at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
- The team's preparation focuses on discipline, teamwork, and adaptability, in addition to physical training.
- Dakar 2026 will feature about 2,700 athletes competing across 25 sports, marking the first Olympic or Youth Olympic Games staged on African soil.
