Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, affirmed that the UAE is committed to promoting the values of friendship, excellence and cooperation through its participation in global sporting events.

His Highness said the exemplary performances and sportsmanship of UAE athletes on the global stage will continue to define their participation in the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games, Dakar 2026, the first to be hosted on the African continent.

Being held from 31 October to 13 November 2026 in Senegal’s capital, the fourth Youth Olympic Games have brought together approximately 2,700 athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committees, alongside the Refugee Olympic Team. Athletes will compete across 25 individual and team sports.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed emphasised that the UAE’s ambitions extend far beyond sporting achievements and are firmly rooted in the values and principles of the Emirati people.

His Highness noted that UAE athletes have established a notable presence at major sporting events, with their unwavering determination and resolve inspiring outstanding performances and records. They have continued to make their mark at various events, driven by an ambition to rewrite the history of UAE sport.

His Highness urged UAE athletes to continue striving for excellence and build on their achievements at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina, where the UAE’s Omar Al Marzooqi won silver in show jumping, securing the nation’s first medal in the history of its participation in the Youth Olympic Games.

The UAE is fielding its largest-ever sporting contingent in the history of the Games, which began with the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010. Twelve athletes are competing across nine sports.

The UAE contingent comprises Abdullah Al Ameri in swimming, Hamdan Al Mazmi in judo, Alia Al Muhairi in equestrian, Huda Al Ali and Khalifa Al Kaabi in archery, Sultan Al Hammadi in cycling, Charlotte Thurston in triathlon, Saeed Omar, Aisha Mohammed and Arwa Ali in athletics, Rayan Malhan in badminton, and Moaz Wael in boxing.

Rayan Malhan, a member of the UAE national badminton team, opened the nation’s campaign at the Games today, competing in the men’s singles event at Dakar Arena. Badminton competitions will run for three consecutive days.

National judo team member Hamdan Al Mazmi and swimmer Abdullah Al Ameri will begin their respective campaigns tomorrow. Al Mazmi will compete in the 81kg category, while Al Ameri will take part in the men’s 100m freestyle.

Opening ceremony

In a moment of pride and honour, Alia Al Muhairi, a member of the UAE national equestrian team, and Hamdan Al Mazmi, a member of the national judo team, carried the UAE flag during the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Games.

Held under the theme ‘Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates’, the ceremony embodied Senegal’s distinctive culture of generosity and hospitality, known as ‘Teranga’. The Games’ official song, ‘Teranga’, was played as national contingents took part in a ceremonial parade. All athletes participating in the Games are aged between 15 and 17.

The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, marking the culmination of a 3,600-kilometre torch relay across Senegal’s 14 regions and signalling the start of the Games, which continue until 13 November. Competitions are being staged across three main locations: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

The UAE has participated in every edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, beginning with the inaugural Games in Singapore in 2010, followed by Nanjing, China, in 2014 and Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018. The nation also became the first Gulf country to participate in the Winter Youth Olympic Games at Gangwon 2024 in South Korea.