Kenya is stepping up its preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). With the event, scheduled to take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, fast approaching, the country is organising a growing number of competitions and preparatory activities to ensure that its young athletes are in the best possible shape for this first-ever African edition of the YOG.
Less than two months before the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Kenya is stepping up its preparations. The performance achieved at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games, held from 24 to 28 August 2026 in Nairobi, provides an encouraging first indicator for the Kenyan delegation. The country topped the medal table with 50 medals, including 22 gold, 21 silver and 7 bronze, ahead of more than 300 young athletes from 11 countries.
“Kenya is very ready. As you can see today, we have five Games. This is part of our preparation for the Olympic Games.”
John Ogola, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee – Kenya
The competition gave young Kenyan athletes the opportunity to compete against their counterparts from across East Africa in several disciplines, including athletics, swimming, cycling and 3×3 basketball. In women’s basketball, Kenya’s U17 team went unbeaten and defeated Uganda 20-9 in the final. In the men’s competition, the country claimed silver behind South Sudan, despite beating them 21-18 in the third stage.
“If the talents identified on this occasion continue to develop, it shows their potential and their quality. We have great chances in this competition.”John Ogola, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee – Kenya
The East African country is actively preparing for the Dakar Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes across 25 sports and 151 events. Kenya’s preparations are also drawing on the experience of Sheila Chajira, a two-time Olympian in rugby sevens at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, who has been selected as one of the 31 Athlete Role Models tasked with supporting young athletes during the Games.
