Dakar:Windhoek The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) will be represented by 12 young athletes at the first-ever Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil.

According to Namibia Press Agency , Dakar, Senegal, will host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games from 31 October to 13 November 2026. The Namibian team will compete in seven sporting disciplines, including athletics, beach wrestling, beach volleyball, cycling, swimming, triathlon, and boxing. These athletes will have the opportunity to test their abilities against some of the world's best young talents while gaining valuable international competition experience.

The selected athletes representing Namibia are Elkana Iileka, Robert Sinclair, Rene Steinkopff, Kalenga Abraham, Mike Baartman, Bianca Nell, Johannes Langford, Lorenzo Esterhuizen, Nathan Bock, Madison Bergh, Roselinda Matyayi, and Shithigona Shipopyeni. The NNOC congratulated all 12 athletes on their selection, wishing them well as they prepare to represent the country.

The NNOC statement encouraged the athletes to embrace the Olympic experience, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and carry Namibia's flag with pride throughout the competition. It emphasized the importance of investing in young athletes and creating opportunities for them to develop, compete, and learn on the world stage.

The statement also noted that Team Namibia's participation across seven disciplines will showcase the country's sporting diversity and the potential of its emerging generation of talent. The team's departure marks a significant milestone for Namibian sport, with the athletes carrying the nation's hopes and aspirations as they prepare to compete internationally.