OYDC Zambia Joins Africa in ‘Run for Africa’ Ahead of Dakar 2026

OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre has joined the African Olympic Movement in celebrating a historic milestone as the continent counts down to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The institution was represented by its Programmes Manager, Mwange Kampamba, at the “We Run for Africa” celebration held today at the Olympafrica Centre in Lusaka, marking the arrival of the Olympic Flame in Dakar, Senegal.

The event brought together young athletes, sports administrators and members of the Olympic Movement to celebrate the symbolic arrival of the Olympic Flame in Africa and build excitement around the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games the first Olympic event to be hosted on the African continent. The gathering was graced by National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Treasurer Victor Banda and NOCZ Committee Member Mwale Zulu, among other members of the Olympic Movement, who joined the young athletes in marking this historic milestone.

For Zambia, the celebration provided an opportunity to place greater emphasis on the role of young people in the future of sport and the importance of creating pathways for athletes to progress from grassroots participation to international competition.

Speaking during the event, Kampamba challenged young athletes to take advantage of the sporting opportunities available at OYDC Zambia, encouraging them to actively participate in the various sports codes offered at the Sports Development Centre.

She emphasised that participation at grassroots level can be the beginning of a much bigger journey, urging young athletes to remain committed to training, discipline and continuous improvement if they aspire to compete on the international stage.

“The opportunity to represent Zambia at a Youth Olympic Games can start right here. Young athletes must take part in the different sports codes available at OYDC Zambia, develop their talent and remain committed to their sporting journey,” Kampamba said.

Her message comes at a significant time as young athletes across Africa look towards Dakar 2026, where the continent will take centre stage in the global Olympic Movement.

OYDC Zambia continues to play an important role in promoting sport and youth development by providing opportunities for young people to participate in different sporting disciplines while developing their skills, confidence and understanding of the values of sport.

The We Run for Africa celebration therefore served as more than a symbolic event. It was a call to action for young Africans to embrace sport, pursue excellence and believe that they too can become part of the continent’s next generation of international athletes.

With the Olympic Flame now in Dakar, attention turns to the young athletes preparing to carry Africa’s hopes onto the world stage