Syria to Compete in Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
The Syrian Ministry of Sport and Youth has officially announced the country’s participation in the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, “Dakar 2026.” The international sporting event is scheduled to be hosted by Senegal, running from October 31 through November 13.
Syria’s delegation will focus its participation on athletics. The national team will be represented by sprinter Hadi Abbas, who is set to compete in the 400-meter race, and sprinter Jana Mahla, who will participate in the 200-meter race. This participation aligns with the ongoing efforts of Syrian sporting authorities to ensure a presence at major international youth athletic forums.
Beyond the official Syrian delegation, the games will also feature the participation of a refugee team in the “Baseball5” competition. This refugee squad maintains a recognized international standing, currently ranked 46th globally according to the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Their inclusion adds a distinct dimension to the sporting landscape of the Dakar games.
The Dakar Youth Olympic Games are expected to draw a broad field of approximately 2,700 athletes, who will compete across 25 diverse sporting disciplines. The competitions will be distributed across the Senegalese cities of Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly, all of which are currently finalizing preparations to welcome the arriving sporting delegations.
This participation reflects the commitment of Syrian sporting institutions to remain engaged with international events. By providing opportunities for young athletes to compete and gain experience in a global Olympic environment, the ministry aims to foster the development of its youth talent, with high expectations for the performance of the sprinters based on their recent training preparations.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
