Kenya has begun the final countdown to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with officials urging young athletes to balance sport and education as preparations enter a crucial phase.
Held at Visa Oshwal Primary and Secondary School in Parklands in Westlands Constituency, the celebrations marked exactly 50 days to the opening ceremony of the Games, which will be held in Senegal from October 23 to November 13.
The event also celebrated the arrival of the Olympic flame in Senegal, a historic milestone as Dakar prepares to host the first Olympic event on African soil.
Angela Luchivya, Team Kenya's Chef de Mission for Dakar 2026, noted that the occasion provided an opportunity for Kenya to join Senegal and the rest of Africa in celebrating the historic Games.
“Today we had activities and celebration of the Olympic flame getting into and landing in Senegal,” explained Luchivya, adding that Kenya was “very excited and energized” to begin executing its plans for the Games.
Luchivya disclosed that Kenya's athletes are currently preparing at different venues under the supervision of their respective federations.
However, she stressed that the young athletes, who are aged roughly 14 to 17, must maintain a balance between training and their studies.
“The athletes that will be participating in Dakar, given the fact that they are between 14 to 17 years old, they are in school,” she said.
She added that coaches were monitoring the athletes' training and performance while they continued attending classes, particularly as many were sitting end-of-year examinations.
Kenya will field a contingent of 54 athletes (42 girls and 12 boys) at the Games. They come from athletics (four girls and three boys), rugby sevens (12 girls), baseball5 (four boys and four girls), basketball 3x3 (four girls), swimming (two boys and two girls), cycling road (one boy and one girl), boxing (one girl), fencing (one girl), judo (one girl), wushu (one girl), beach handball (10 girls), beach wrestling (one boy and one girl) and triathlon (one boy).
Luchivya described the team as a source of great pride for the country.
Addressing pupils and students at the school, Luchivya encouraged them to embrace sport and believe in the possibilities it can create.
“Never believe that where you are today is where you will be in five years' time, in 10 years' time or in 20 years' time,” she told the students.
She urged those interested in sport to start early, work hard and remain committed, noting that the Youth Olympic Games provide an opportunity for young athletes to begin their journey towards representing Kenya at the highest level.
The Dakar Games will feature 25 sports, but Kenya will take part in 13.
National Olympic Committee of Kenya Secretary General John Ogolla also addressed the gathering, explaining the role of the Olympic movement and its emphasis on sport, education, culture, friendship and fair competition.
He said the Olympic philosophy seeks to use sport, education and culture to promote humanity by encouraging people to respect one another, compete fairly and realise their potential.
Ogolla observed that Kenya was privileged to be sending one of the largest contingents to Dakar.
“We are very privileged as a country. We will be sending the second largest contingent after hosts Senegal,” he revealed.
He also encouraged the students to participate in sport, saying today's young athletes could become members of future national teams.
The Olympic flame, he explained, is a symbol of peace and unity and its presence in Africa offered a special opportunity for the continent to celebrate the Games.
The event was attended by Senegal's Ambassador to Kenya, Ndongo Dieng, alongside school administrators, teachers, students and representatives of NOCK, including vice president Barnaba Korir.
School principal welcomed the delegation and encouraged students to embrace both education and sport.
As the Dakar Games draw closer, Kenya's focus is now shifting from celebration to execution, with federations expected to intensify preparations while ensuring the young athletes remain committed to their academic responsibilities.
For Team Kenya, the countdown has begun. With just 50 days to go, the message from officials is clear: work hard, stay focused and seize the opportunity to become the next generation of Olympians.
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