Dakar 2026: ITTF Drives Table Tennis Growth Across Africa Ahead of Historic Youth Olympic Games
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As Dakar prepares to host the first Youth Olympic Games on the African continent in 2026, the International Table Tennis federation (ITTF) is significantly expanding its development initiatives across Africa, laying the groundwork for lasting growth in the sport. The upcoming Games also represent a landmark moment as the first Youth Olympic Games held under the presidency of Kirsty Coventry, the first African to lead the International Olympic Commitee.
Unprecedented Growth in African Table tennis
The countdown to Dakar 2026 coincides with a period of unprecedented development in African table tennis.Throughout 2024, the ITTF facilitated 51 development activities across 37 Member Associations, demonstrating a strong commitment to expanding the sport’s reach. Notably, these programs achieved near gender parity, with 57.2% male and 42.8% female participation.This momentum has continued into 2025, with nearly 30 activities already completed in 21 Member Associations.
“The Youth Olympic games is not just a competition – they’re about shaping the next generation of athletes and creating opportunities that will resonate throughout Africa long after the closing ceremony,” stated Petra Sörling, ITTF President and IOC Member. “Our work across the continent through our development programmes and capacity-building initiatives is ensuring that this historic moment in Dakar will leave a lasting legacy for young athletes and the broader table tennis community.”
Senegal’s Intensive Planning for 2026
For Senegal, hosting the Youth Olympic Games is a pivotal achievement. The Senegalese Table Tennis Association has collaborated with the ITTF Participation Program for the past three years, consistently delivering national activities and grassroots development programs.
Most recently, from September 29th to October 8th, the ITTF conducted an intensive Youth training Camp in Dakar.Led by Africa Participation Officer Paul Tiendrebeogo, the camp brought together 23 young players – 13 boys and 10 girls aged 12-15 – alongside a coaching team of five male coaches, one female coach, and a team manager. the eight-day camp focused on developing fundamental skills, including stroke connection, footwork, serve and return techniques, and tactical awareness, utilizing many-ball training exercises and culminating in a competitive two-day tournament.
The camp also prioritized coach development, with dedicated sessions covering training methodologies, player assessment, and strategies for sustained progression. this investment in local coaching capacity is crucial for ensuring the long-term impact of the games.
Prior to the Dakar camp, six Senegalese players and one coach participated in an extended training program in Changsha, China, from August 3rd to September 29th, 2025. Facilitated through the Chinese Ministry of commerce and Senegal’s Prime Minister’s Office,this program provided valuable international exposure and technical training.
Young Senegalese athletes are now preparing to compete on home soil, benefiting from world-class training and the ITTF’s extensive development network. Looking ahead,the ITTF will offer specialized training for selected African players,supported by Olympic Solidarity,to further enhance their preparation for the Games.
ITTF’s Broad Development Impact Across the Continent
The Senegal training camp exemplifies the ITTF’s holistic approach to development, extending beyond athlete preparation to include coach education, technical official certification, and grassroots initiatives.
A meaningful milestone was reached in 2024 with the hosting of the Level 3 Coaching Course in Tunisia – the first time this advanced qualification had returned to Africa in eight years. Seventeen participants from nine Member Associations completed the rigorous program,significantly strengthening the continent’s coaching expertise.
Technical capacity has also seen substantial growth. Competition management workshops and online certification programs have resulted in 18 individuals from nine member associations achieving “Regional Competition Manager in Progress” status, while International Umpire examination success rates reached 58% in 2024. Furthermore, African associations have accessed 170 hours of ITTF’s online educational services to enhance their organizational capabilities.
These development programs are establishing a strong foundation as preparation intensifies for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking a historic first for the Olympic movement on african soil.
