The Sultanate of Oman is set to participate in the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. Oman will field three national teams across fencing, aquatics, and taekwondo disciplines.
In preparation for the event, the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) convened a meeting on Wednesday to address technical, administrative, and logistical arrangements for the delegation’s participation. Attendees included members of the official delegation, national team representatives, and technical staff. Key topics discussed involved competition schedules and venues, travel and accommodation logistics, athlete medical support, anti-doping measures, and media protocols.
The Omani athletes set to compete include swimmer Hamad al Hasani, who will contend in the men’s 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle events on November 1 and 3 in Dakar. Taekwondo competitor Ziyad al Balushi will participate in the men's under-48 kilogram category on November 8, while fencer Janna al Sharji is slated to compete in the women’s individual épée event on November 10 in Diamniadio, a suburb of Dakar.
Leading the Omani delegation is Eng Khalfan bin Saleh al Naabi, a member of the OOC Board of Directors. The delegation includes administrator Saheem bin Khalaf al Subhi, physiotherapist Nada bint Mohammed al Zadjali, journalist Adil bin Ibrahim al Balushi, and photographer Marwan bin Nabil al Yaqoubi. Coaching staff accompanying the teams are fencing coach Hicham Karchoud, swimming coach Mohammed Bouguerra, and taekwondo coach Adil al Wahibi.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games mark a historic milestone as the first Olympic event to be held on the African continent. The games are expected to attract approximately 2,700 athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committees, competing in 25 sports across 151 events. Competitions will be held at eight venues across three cities. The event aims to highlight young athletic talent, promote the values of the Olympic Movement, and foster international friendship and cultural exchange among youth worldwide.