Pakistan to send four athletes to Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Islamabad: Pakistan is preparing to send a five-member contingent including four athletes to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13.

Islamabad: Pakistan is preparing to send a five-member contingent including four athletes to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13.

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) announced the national team on Friday after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allocated quota places to the country in athletics and swimming.

Shahzain Safdar will represent Pakistan in athletics while Hareem Malik and Syed Muhammad Daniyal Hatim will compete in swimming. Athletics coach Rehan Yousaf will accompany the team to Senegal.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Ali Khan has been appointed Chef de Mission and will lead the Pakistani contingent during the international event.

According to the POA Pakistan secured one quota place for a male athlete in athletics and two places in swimming allocated to one male and one female competitor.

The athletes’ nominations were reviewed and approved by the relevant international sports federations in accordance with the competition’s age restrictions and eligibility criteria.

The Dakar Youth Olympic Games will bring together young competitors from different countries, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and gain valuable experience in an international multi-sport competition.

The POA said Pakistan’s participation reflected the IOC’s efforts to ensure athletes from all National Olympic Committees have opportunities to compete in events organised under the Olympic Movement.

The association expressed confidence that the national team would represent Pakistan with discipline, integrity and sportsmanship.

The five-member delegation comprises Chef de Mission Ahmed Ali Khan swimmers Hareem Malik and Syed Muhammad Daniyal Hatim, athlete Shahzain Safdar and coach Rehan Yousaf.