As excitement continues to build ahead of the first Olympic event ever to be staged on African soil, 15 of the continent’s brightest young table tennis talents have earned places at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 in Senegal.

The athletes are among the 64 players selected to compete in the table tennis event, which will be held from October 31 to November 5 during the Games, scheduled for October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar.

The table tennis competition will feature athletes from 41 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) spanning five continents, with 32 boys and 32 girls battling for honours in what promises to be a landmark event for the sport and the continent.

Dakar 2026 will feature three table tennis medal events: boys’ singles, girls’ singles and mixed doubles. The singles competitions will each comprise 32 athletes, while 23 NOCs will contest the mixed doubles event. Every mixed doubles pair will consist of players who are already entered in the singles events, creating a demanding schedule for many competitors.

Africa’s representatives reflect the growing depth of talent across the continent. Algeria’s Aylan Goudjil heads the boys’ contingent, alongside Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti, Benin Republic’s Ganiou Abdourahaman, Egypt’s Abdelmalk Elsayed, Senegal’s Amador Ferrer, Tunisia’s Youssef Aidli and Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira.

In the girls’ competition, Nigeria’s Favour Ojo leads a strong African lineup that includes Algeria’s Tania Morice, Egypt’s Yara Elbadawy, Ghana’s Joanita Borteye, Madagascar’s Tina Andriantahina, Senegal’s Marieme Diallo, Tunisia’s Ela Saidi and Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala.

According to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the entry list underlines the global appeal and expanding reach of the sport. Traditional table tennis powerhouses such as China, Japan, Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Germany and France will compete alongside emerging nations including Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Luxembourg, Madagascar and Puerto Rico.

The athletes selected for Dakar 2026 were born between 2009 and 2014, making the Games a showcase of the next generation of international table tennis stars.

The significance of Dakar 2026 extends far beyond competition. As the first Olympic event ever to be hosted in Africa, the Games represent a historic milestone for the continent and a unique opportunity for young African athletes to compete on home soil.

This significance is reflected in the table tennis entries, with 15 athletes drawn from nine African NOCs: Algeria, Benin Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda. Six of these nations will also be represented in the mixed doubles competition.

Host nation Senegal will have special reason for optimism, with Amador Ferrer and Marieme Diallo carrying local hopes in both the singles and mixed doubles events before a home crowd.

Beyond Africa, the competition will feature athletes from 11 European NOCs, 10 from the Americas, nine from Asia and two from Oceania, highlighting the truly global character of the event.

For Africa’s 15 young stars, Dakar 2026 offers more than an opportunity to compete for medals. It provides a chance to make history, inspire a new generation and be part of a landmark chapter in the Olympic movement’s journey to Africa.