The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially released the operational timeline for Team Nigeria’s participation in the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
As the first Olympic sporting event hosted on African soil, the Games will bring together elite young athletes from around the world. Team Nigeria is set to compete across six major sports: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis, and beach volleyball.
Key Operational Milestones :
- Local Camping Program (9 – 29 October 2026): A comprehensive 21-day pre-games preparation in Nigeria featuring rigorous technical and tactical drills, medical screenings, anti-doping education, kit fitting, and final documentation.
- Departure & Arrival (29 – 30 October 2026): The contingent departs Abuja on 29 October and arrives in Dakar on 30 October for final accreditation, venue familiarization, and equipment checks.
- Competition Window (31 October – 12 November 2026): Action kicks off immediately following the grand opening ceremony on 31 October at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium.
- Venue & Schedule Overview
Team Nigeria’s campaign will be spread across the three designated host zones of Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly:
Table Tennis & Boxing: Dakar Expo Centre
Beach Volleyball: Saly Beach West
Swimming: Tour de l’Œuf complex
Road Cycling: Corniche Ouest
Athletics: Iba Mar Diop Complex
Following the conclusion of events, the closing ceremony will be held on 13 November 2026 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, after which the contingent will complete departure formalities and return to Abuja.
Strategic Objective: This operational roadmap is meticulously designed to streamline preparations, logistics, and competition schedules, ensuring that Nigerian athletes and officials are fully optimized to excel on the international stage while driving grassroots sports development.
