Towards the Youth Olympic Games (YOJ) Dakar 2026, Benin now knows the young athletes who will defend its colours on the international stage. They are seven, aged 15 to 17, and will be engaged in five disciplines: athletics, swimming, fencing, wushu and table tennis.
A selection based on quotas
The Beninese delegation was not constituted according to a classical system of qualification or classification. "The selection at the JOJ Dakar 2026 is very special. It was not a question of qualification, nor was it a question of ranking either," explains Gloria Kousside, administrative head of national selection at CNOS-Benin;Benin obtained quotas in five disciplines, allowing seven young athletes to participate in the competition.
Boxing was initially among the disciplines assigned to the country. However, the lack of eligibility of the athlete concerned led the Organizational Committee to grant an additional quota to Benin. This reassignment allowed the inclusion of table tennis in the delegation.
Seven athletes in five disciplines
In swimming, three representatives will wear Beninese colors. Tevoedjre Mahugnigan Salomé will play the 50 m freestyle, just like Agbdjogbe Vignon Étoile. Apthy Dodoji Tina Djeneba will be engaged on the 50 m brew.
In fencing, Fassassi Faridath Olahitan will represent Benin with an individual sword. The wushu will be worn by Noudofin Nelcy Houefa Kélia, engaged in combined Taijiquan.
The table tennis will enter the delegation with Adbouraman Ganiou, engaged in the simple gentlemen. At 15, the young pongist saw this selection as an important step in his young career.
In athletics, Benin will count on Kissagui Guera Ibrahim at 400 m. The 17-year-old athlete, who is usually a specialist in 100 and 200 metres, is already showing his ambitions for Dakar.
" My dream for Dakar 2026 is to make a good time 46 or either get the best performance of the year at 400 metres," he says.
His coach, Evrard Anayan, highlights the progress of the young athlete, thanks to his international experiences. "It's an athlete who has taken part in enough international competitions and who has made a difference every time by improving his performance," says the National Technical Director of the Beninese D-Athletics Federation.
Integrity at the heart of preparation
The preparation of young athletes is not limited to sports work. On 3 October, the National Olympic and Sport Committee (CNOS-Benin) organized a workshop on integrity in sport at the Mathieu Kérékou General Stadium.
Athletes, parents and coaches were made aware of the risks associated with doping, the handling of competitions and compliance with the rules.
For Evrard Anayan, this awareness is beyond the competition. "We think this is an education that children have received, not just for sport, but for their lives," he explains.
The young people selected also begin to measure the responsibility that accompanies representing their country. For Tevoedjre Mahugnigan Salomé, integrity includes "respecting the rules, respecting their opponents and remaining honest in everything they do".
Benin prepares for Dakar
With seven representatives in five disciplines, Benin will tackle the Dakar 2026 OJJ with both sporting and educational ambitions. For these young athletes, the challenge will be to advance in contact with international competition, while bearing national colours.
For some, this first Olympic experience could also be an important step towards an international career that will continue beyond Dakar.
