By GPC Sports Reporter
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has announced a 53-member Kenyan contingent for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.
In a statement issued by his office on Sunday, Mvurya said Kenya had qualified athletes in 13 sporting disciplines for the competition, which marks the first time Africa is hosting an Olympic event.
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The team comprises 41 female athletes, representing 77 per cent of the contingent, in what the CS described as a significant milestone in expanding opportunities for women and girls in sport.
Kenya will be represented in athletics, rugby sevens, basketball 3×3, swimming, boxing, cycling, fencing, judo, Baseball5, beach handball, beach wrestling, triathlon and wushu.
Mvurya said the country’s participation was part of a long-term strategy to identify, nurture and prepare young talent for elite international competitions.
“The Youth Olympic Games provide a critical transition platform through which promising young athletes gain exposure to elite international competition,” he said.
He added that the experience would help the athletes develop the resilience and discipline required to progress into senior national teams.
The participation is also aligned with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya’s Path to Podium 2028 and 2032 Strategy, which seeks to develop a competitive generation of athletes for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Mvurya said the Government was committed to investing in grassroots talent identification, structured athlete development, technical expertise and wider competitive opportunities to sustain Kenya’s position in international sport.
He said his ministry would work with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and sports federations to strengthen athlete welfare, medical support, technical preparation and safeguarding.
Further, the CS said Dakar 2026 presented an opportunity to deepen sporting cooperation between Kenya and Senegal, strengthen Kenya’s engagement in the African Olympic movement and showcase the continent’s ability to host major international sporting events.
