Performers forming the shape of the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on 31 Oct. Photo: OIS/ Will Palmer
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) officially kicked off on 31 Oct with an enthralling opening ceremony that celebrated sport, youth and diversity.
At the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, athletes revelled in the joyous atmosphere as they marched out waving the flags of their respective nations, before enjoying the rest of the evening.
Singapore’s flagbearers were table tennis player Loy Ming Ying, 16, and 17-year-old shuttler Zack Ng.
Ng said of the experience: “There were many emotions. Before marching out as flagbearer, I was a bit nervous and excited. Then after walking out, I was feeling proud and happy.”
For both athletes, a key highlight of being at the YOG has been exchanging pins with their international counterparts – a quintessential major Games experience.
Loy, who appreciated the “hyped” atmosphere in the stadium as she marched out, estimates that she exchanged 30 pins at the opening ceremony. Fellow flagbearer Ng, who exchanged 31 pins, rated these interactions as “most enjoyable”, adding: “Of course, there were language barriers but I managed to communicate with (the foreign athletes) through their friends or sign language.”
Singapore flagbearers Loy Ming Ying and Zack Ng enjoyed swapping pins with fellow athletes from other countries at the Dakar 2026 opening ceremony on 31 Oct. Photo: Courtesy of Zack Ng
More than 1,100 participants delivered performances that illustrated the cultural richness of the continent.
Traditional dances, rousing percussion routines and wrestling themes were among the highlights as key elements of Senegal’s identity. Other acts included soulful vocal performances and upbeat hip-hop numbers, watched by an audience that included president of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry. Local craftsmanship was also on display, with the performers’ costumes all made in Senegal.
Judoka Aicha Diop and fencer Abdourahmane Marieme Sy were the final torchbearers, lighting the cauldron to signal the official start of the Games.
Africa is hosting an Olympic sporting event for the first time, and Dakar 2026 will see over 2,600 athletes aged 14 to 17 competing in 25 sports, including a Refugee Youth Olympic team – a first at the YOG.
Singapore will be represented by 14 athletes in archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, fencing, gymnastics, sailing, table tennis and wushu. The Republic’s Dakar 2026 campaign kicks off on 1 Nov with paddler Loy and wushu exponent Ng Zhe Nin in action.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games takes place from 31 October to 13 November 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.