New Delhi, October 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India will be represented by 17 athletes across 11 sports at the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announcing the contingent and extending its best wishes to the athletes, coaches and support staff.
Scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, Dakar 2026 will mark a historic milestone for the Olympic Movement as the first Olympic event to be held on the African continent.
The Youth Olympic Games cater to athletes aged up to 17 at the time of the event, combining elite-level competition with opportunities for learning and cultural exchange. Around 2,700 young athletes from 207 delegations are expected to compete across 25 sports.
Among India’s emerging talents heading to Dakar is table tennis player Sarthak Arya, who sees the Games as an important step towards his long-term sporting ambitions.
“The Youth Olympics will be a stepping-stone in my journey. I dream of representing India at the Commonwealth Games in Amdavad in 2030 and then at the Olympic Games in Brisbane in 2032. Looking further ahead, if India gets the opportunity to host the Olympic Games in 2036, competing at home and hopefully winning an Olympic medal for my country would be truly special,” Sarthak said.
The Games will also provide the IOA with an opportunity to engage with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from around the world, exchange ideas on identifying talent and supporting athlete development, and explore pathways from youth sport to elite-level competition.
According to the IOA, these interactions could help inform India’s sporting ambitions as the country looks towards Amdavad 2030 and Brisbane 2032 while continuing to develop stronger and more sustainable pathways for the next generation of athletes.
“Dakar 2026 is an important milestone for our young athletes. They represent the future of Indian sport, and among them may be the champions who will represent India at Brisbane 2032 and beyond. I wish the entire contingent every success and am confident they will make the country proud,” IOA president P. T. Usha said.
She also extended her best wishes to the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and the Senegalese Olympic Committee, describing the event as a historic moment for the Olympic Movement.
“Hosting the first Olympic event on the African continent is a historic moment for the Olympic Movement, and we look forward to sharing this landmark occasion with Senegal and the wider Olympic community,” Usha added.
During the Games, Usha is also expected to sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on sports cooperation and exchange with the National Olympic Committees of several African countries, including Namibia and Mauritius.
The IOA said the agreements would establish a framework for closer collaboration between Olympic organisations, with opportunities for athlete and coach exchanges, sharing technical expertise and training practices, and exploring other areas of mutual interest.
The experience gained through these partnerships could also help the IOA explore similar arrangements with other National Olympic Committees interested in strengthening sporting ties with India.
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