After winning 11 medals at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Kenya last month, Rwanda is turning its attention to preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The ANOCA Zone V Games brought together 189 young athletes from 11 countries: Burundi, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The competition featured seven sports: cycling, swimming, athletics, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, tennis and judo. Team Rwanda represented in athletics, cycling and swimming. The Dakar Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13. The multi-sport event is for athletes aged 15 to 17. According to the organisers, the games aim to inspire and encourage young people while promoting Olympic ideals and values. As part of Rwanda’s preparations, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) said athletes will take part in various training programmes and competitions ahead of the Games. Two junior cyclists are currently in a training camp preparing for the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, scheduled for September 20-27, and the 2026 African Road Championships, which will be held in Kenya in October. In athletics, 400m runner Sonia Eli Elohe Abizera will continue her regular training programme with her club as she works towards the next stage of her development and preparation for Dakar. Swimmers will also continue training with their respective clubs as they prepare for the 2026 CANA Zone 3 Championships, expected to take place in Kampala, Uganda, from October 21-25. Following the competition, the swimmers are scheduled to travel to Dakar on October 27. Meanwhile, athletes in Kung-Fu Wu-Shu and taekwondo who are part of Rwanda’s Dakar preparations will continue their regular training programmes with their clubs.
