Olympic Spirit Ignites in Gayaza Ahead of Dakar 2026 Games

The vibrant energy of the upcoming Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games recently touched down in Gayaza, Uganda. The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) organized an Olympic Values activation at Green Valley Primary School, Magigye, engaging students and the local community in a celebration of sport, play, and cultural exchange.

This event served as Uganda’s parallel observance to the official Dakar 2026 flame tour, which began in Athens and is currently traversing Senegal. The Youth Olympic Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 13, mark a significant milestone as the first International Olympic Committee (IOC) event to be held on the African continent, expecting to host approximately 2,700 athletes under the age of 17.

Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu, Uganda’s Chef de Mission for the Dakar Games, emphasized the importance of these activations. “These activations are aimed at planting Olympism beyond elite sport,” she stated. The UOC’s Olympic Values Education and Culture Commission led activities designed to instill the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect in young minds.

Dhamuzungu expressed hope that this engagement would inspire the next generation. “We believe that these values, if inculcated in young people, they will be able to appreciate the Games, follow the Games, and aspire to be part of Team Uganda in future,” she remarked. The day’s festivities included a variety of traditional and modern games, fostering a sense of unity and athletic spirit among the participants.

Uganda is set to compete in badminton, swimming, athletics, table tennis, beach rowing, and cycling at the Dakar 2026 Games. The UOC’s efforts in Gayaza underscore a commitment to spreading the Olympic message throughout the nation, aligning with the global excitement building for this landmark event in Africa.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be held from October 31 to November 13. The source for this article is the Daily Monitor (Uganda).