African Table Tennis Stars Qualify for Dakar 2026 Games

Fifteen of Africa's promising young table tennis players have secured spots at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, which will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026. The table tennis event will occur from 31 October to 5 November 2026, featuring 64 competitors, including 32 male and 32 female players.

The competition will include three medal events: men’s singles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles. The athletes selected were born between 2009 and 2014, showcasing the Youth Olympic Games as a platform for the next generation of stars.

Leading the boys' category is Algeria’s Aylan Goudjil, with Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti and others from Benin Republic, Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, and Uganda joining him. In the girls' event, Nigeria’s Favour Ojo heads a strong group that includes athletes from Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Senegal, Tunisia, and Uganda.

The International Table Tennis Federation recognizes the growing global reach of the sport, with traditional powerhouses competing alongside emerging nations.