Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled the operational timeline for Team Nigeria’s participation in the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled for October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal.
The Games will mark the first Olympic sporting event hosted on African soil, bringing together young athletes from across the world.
Team Nigeria will compete in six sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.
According to the schedule, the Nigerian contingent will undergo a 21-day local camping programme from October 9 to 29 before departing Abuja for Dakar on October 29.
The camp will feature medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical preparations, kit fitting, travel documentation and confirmation of participation requirements.
The team is expected to arrive in Dakar on October 30 for accreditation, accommodation arrangements, equipment checks, technical meetings and familiarisation with competition venues in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The opening ceremony will be held on October 31 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, with table tennis and beach volleyball competitions also commencing that day. Swimming will begin on November 1, while boxing is scheduled for November 7 to 12. Athletics and road cycling will take place on selected dates between November 8 and 10.
Beach volleyball will be staged at Saly Beach West, table tennis and boxing at Dakar Expo Centre, swimming at the Tour de l’Œuf complex, road cycling along Corniche Ouest and athletics at the Iba Mar Diop Complex.
The Games will conclude on November 13 with the closing ceremony at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, after which Team Nigeria will return to Abuja following departure formalities.
The NSC said the operational timeline would coordinate preparations, travel and competition schedules, while supporting Nigeria’s efforts to develop young talents and create pathways to elite international sports.
