Shuttler Tanvi Patri in India's 17-member contingent for Dakar Youth Olympics
The Indian Olympic Association has named a 17-member contingent across 11 sports for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, with the Games set to mark the first Olympic event hosted on African soil.
by India Today Sports Desk · India TodayIn Short
- Dakar will host Africa's first Olympic event from October 31
- About 2,700 young athletes from 207 delegations will compete across 25 sports
- Inida has named a 17-member contingent, set to compete in sports like archery, badminton
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced a 17-member athlete contingent across 11 sports for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, scheduled to be held from October 31 to November 13.
The Games will mark the first Olympic event to be held on the African continent, with around 2,700 young athletes from 207 delegations expected to compete across 25 sports. The Youth Olympics are designed for athletes aged up to 17 at the time of the event, combining international competition with opportunities for learning and cultural exchange.
India's contingent will feature athletes from archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, judo, sailing, swimming, table tennis, beach wrestling and wushu. Among those selected is badminton player Tanvi Patri, who will compete in the women's singles event at Dakar. Her selection adds to India's representation in a sport where the country has established a strong presence on the international stage.
IOA president P. T. Usha described Dakar 2026 as an important milestone for India's young athletes, highlighting the potential of the contingent to contribute to the country's future sporting ambitions.
“Dakar 2026 is an important milestone for our young athletes. They represent the future of Indian sport, and among them may be the champions who will represent India at Brisbane 2032 and beyond,” Usha said.
She also extended her best wishes to the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and the Senegalese Olympic Committee, describing the hosting of the first Olympic event in Africa as a historic moment for the Olympic Movement.
The Games will also provide the IOA with an opportunity to engage with National Olympic Committees from across the world on talent identification, athlete development and pathways from youth sport to elite competition. Such exchanges could inform India's preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad and the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
During the Games, Usha is also expected to sign memoranda of understanding on sports cooperation and exchange with the National Olympic Committees of several African countries, including Namibia and Mauritius. The agreements are intended to encourage athlete and coach exchanges, the sharing of technical expertise and training practices, and wider cooperation between the sporting organisations.
Among India's representatives is table tennis player Sarthak Arya, who sees the Youth Olympics as a stepping-stone towards his long-term ambitions.
“The Youth Olympics will be a stepping-stone in my journey. I dream of representing India at the Commonwealth Games in Amdavad in 2030 and then at the Olympic Games in Brisbane in 2032,” Arya said.
He also expressed hope of competing at a future Olympic Games in India, should the country secure the opportunity to host the 2036 edition.
The IOA has wished the athletes, coaches and support staff success as they prepare to represent India in Senegal.
India's contingent for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics
- Archery: Gatha Anandrao Khadake – Women's individual
- Athletics: Shourya Ambure – Women's 100m hurdles
- Badminton: Tanvi Patri – Women's singles; Dev Ruparelia – Men's singles
- Boxing: Gunjan – Women's 48kg; Ambekar Meetei Lairenlakpam – Men's 50kg
- Equestrian: Sresht Raju Mantena – Individual jumping
- Judo: Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada – Women's 63kg
- Sailing: Priyanshi Patil – Women's windsurfing
- Swimming: Dhinidhi Desinghu – Women's 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley; Tirthank Pegu – Men's 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly
- Table tennis: Syndrela Das – Women's singles/Sarthak Arya - men's singles
- Beach wrestling: Antra – Women's 65kg; Taniya – Women's 75kg; Anuj – Men's 70kg; Deepanshu Khokhar – Men's 80kg
- Wushu: Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu – Women's Changquan Combined
- Ends