Team PNG preparations underway for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Team PNG will compete in two sports — Athletics and Swimming — at the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, to be held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31st to November 14th, 2026, as confirmed by the Dakar 2026 Games Organizing Committee last year.

The Games will mark Papua New Guinea's fourth appearance at the Summer Youth Olympic Games, following previous campaigns at Singapore 2010, Nanjing 2014, and Buenos Aires 2018.

The proposed Team PNG delegation for Dakar 2026 will consist of seven members: a Chef de Mission, two team officials — one for each sport — and four athletes, comprising two in athletics and two in swimming. The final team composition remains subject to approval by the PNGOC Secretary General ahead of departure.

In the lead-up to the Games, Team PNG athletes have continued to gain valuable international exposure and competition experience through several lead-up competitions and development events, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the U20 Athletics Championships in the United States.

Team PNG Chef de Mission, Dame Iammo Gapi Launa, DBE, OBE, MBE, BEM, OLY, said Papua New Guinea's young athletes are entering the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar with valuable international experience, confidence, and determination.

"Our athletes have been working hard and gaining valuable international experience over recent months,” Dame Launa said.  

“From competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to the U20 Athletics Championships in the United States, they have had opportunities to test themselves against some of the best young athletes internationally.

"These experiences have helped prepare them not only physically but also mentally for the challenges ahead in Dakar."

Dame Launa said her role as Chef de Mission was to ensure that Team PNG athletes and officials were well prepared, supported, and united throughout their journey.

"My responsibility is to make sure our athletes arrive in Dakar prepared, supported, and confident to give their very best,” she said.  

“I want them to know that they belong on this stage and that they have earned the right to represent Papua New Guinea."

She encouraged the young athletes to embrace the full experience of the Youth Olympic Games, reminding them that the Games are about much more than medals.

"This is an important opportunity for our young athletes to compete, learn, build friendships, experience different cultures, and gain knowledge that will help shape their future sporting careers and their lives beyond sport,” Launa said. 

Dame Launa also called on the athletes to carry the Papua New Guinea colors with pride and to remember the people and communities they represent.

"To our young athletes, I say: believe in yourselves, trust your preparation, and support one another. Compete with courage, discipline, and humility. 

“Wear the PNG colors with pride and give everything you have. Your journey does not end in Dakar. 

“This is another important step in your development and an opportunity to inspire other young Papua New Guineans to believe that they too can achieve their dreams through sport."

Reflecting on her role in leading the delegation, Dame Launa said she was honored to guide and support the young Team PNG contingent.

"I could not be prouder to guide this team,” she expressed.  

“I have every confidence that our young athletes will represent Papua New Guinea with pride, determination, and respect. 

“Whatever the results, I want them to return home knowing they gave their very best and made their country proud. 

“Be proud. Be courageous. Believe in yourself. Go, Team PNG."

Team PNG's participation at Dakar 2026 reflects the PNG Olympic Committee's continued commitment to nurturing young athletic talent and providing genuine pathways to elite international competition, in line with its broader mandate to develop the next generation of Team PNG representatives.

Further details on the confirmed athletes, officials, and Team PNG's official send-off will be announced in due course.

PC: Supplied