Richard Akpokavie backs 13-athlete contingent for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President Richard Akpokavie has expressed strong confidence in the ability of Ghana’s youth athletes to excel at the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. Scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, the event represents a historic milestone as the first Olympic competition of any kind to be staged on African soil. Akpokavie’s endorsement comes as the nation begins its final preparations for the global showpiece, which aims to bring together the world's most promising young sporting talents.

Ghana is set to be represented by a contingent of 13 athletes who will compete across eight different sporting disciplines. According to Akpokavie, the Youth Olympic Games serve as a vital platform for these young competitors to gain international experience and advance toward high-level senior competition. He highlighted that the experience of competing on such a stage is instrumental in the development of athletes aged 15 to 18, providing them with the exposure necessary to succeed in future Olympic cycles.

The Dakar 2026 Games are expected to host approximately 2,700 athletes from around the world, participating in a total of 151 events. By bringing the Games to Senegal, the International Olympic Committee is making a significant push to deepen the Olympic movement within Africa. For the Ghanaian delegation, the focus will be on leveraging this proximity and the historic nature of the event to secure podium finishes and establish a new generation of sports heroes for the country.