Africa’s most decorated table tennis star, Dina Meshref of Egypt, has been named by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as one of the Athlete Role Models for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Her selection marks a milestone in preparations for the first Olympic sporting event to be staged on African soil.
Working in collaboration with International Federations, the IOC has unveiled a diverse group of experienced Olympians drawn from the 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports on the Dakar 2026 programme.
Alongside Meshref, the list includes global stars such as Clarisse Agbegnenou (France, judo), Rayssa Leal (Brazil, skateboarding), Blessing Oborududu (Nigeria, wrestling), Jamila Lunkuse (Uganda, swimming), Douglas Brose (Brazil, karate), and Shiwei Zheng (China, badminton), among others.
Since its introduction at the inaugural Singapore 2010 YOG, the Athlete Role Model programme has been a cornerstone of the Games, offering young athletes the chance to learn directly from seasoned Olympians.
In Dakar, the role models will provide mentorship both on and off the field—attending training sessions, supporting athletes during competition, and leading workshops on career management, injury prevention, mental preparation, and life skills.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will run from October 31st – 13th November, bringing together around 2,700 athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones—Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.
For Africa and for stars like Dina Meshref, the event represents not only a celebration of sport but also a legacy of mentorship, inspiration, and opportunity for the next generation.