By Staff Reporter
Dubai, January 24, 2026 (WAM) — The UAE’s youth sports programme has stepped up preparations for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, set to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from 31 October to 13 November 2026. The event will mark a historic milestone as the first Youth Olympic Games to be hosted on African soil.
Dakar 2026 will bring together nearly 2,700 young athletes from around the world to compete in approximately 25 sports, providing a vital international platform for the next generation of elite talent.
The UAE National Olympic Committee, in close coordination with national sports federations, has prioritised early qualification planning. This includes monitoring age eligibility for athletes born in 2009 and 2010, alongside meeting international ranking and qualification standards across multiple disciplines.
Asian championships continue to play a pivotal role in the qualification process, with UAE youth teams targeting crucial qualification slots and ranking points. Momentum was strengthened at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, where UAE athletes secured 31 medals, significantly boosting their international standings.
Several sports are expected to feature prominently in the UAE’s Dakar 2026 campaign, including athletics, taekwondo, boxing, judo, shooting and triathlon, reflecting the growing depth and competitiveness of the national youth programme.
Badminton player Ryan Malhan has already confirmed his qualification for the Games, while preparations remain ongoing in equestrian sport and athletics as federations work to meet international performance benchmarks.
Sultan Al Yahyai, board member of the UAE Equestrian Federation, highlighted youth development as a key priority, noting that recent international show jumping competitions — featuring nine Emirati riders — have provided valuable competitive exposure ahead of final selections.
Meanwhile, Athletics Federation Secretary General Faisal Al Khameeri confirmed that comprehensive physical and technical training programmes are currently in progress to ensure athletes meet qualification standards.
The UAE has participated in every edition of the Youth Olympic Games since their inception in 2010, earning its first medal at the Buenos Aires 2018 Games. Dakar 2026 now represents the next major step for a new generation of Emirati athletes on the path to the Olympic stage.
Source: Emirates News Agency
