Team Nigeria began its campaign at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with mixed fortunes on the opening day, as the country’s representatives in women’s Beach Volleyball and Table Tennis Mixed Doubles suffered defeats in their respective competitions.

The Nigerian athletes were unable to secure victories in their opening encounters, but attention has now shifted to the next round of events as they look to make an impact in their individual competitions.

In women’s Beach Volleyball, Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence faced Japan’s Auru Kato and Mei Nakagawa in their preliminary-phase encounter. Despite their efforts, the Nigerian pair went down 2-1 to their Japanese opponents.

The defeat means Bawa and Lawrence will need to regroup as the competition progresses and seek opportunities to improve their performance in subsequent matches.

Nigeria also suffered an early setback in Table Tennis, where Matthew Kuti and Favour Ojo competed in the Mixed Doubles Round of 16.

The Nigerian pairing lost 3-1 to Thailand’s Thitaphat Preechayan and Kulapassr Vijitviriyagul, bringing their Mixed Doubles campaign to an end at that stage of the competition.

However, Kuti and Ojo will have another opportunity to represent Nigeria when they return to action in the individual events on Sunday, Day 2 of the Games.

Ojo is scheduled to face Hanka Kodet of Czechia in the Women’s Singles Preliminary Round, while Kuti will take on Hong Kong’s Ho Ki Li in the Men’s Singles Preliminary Round.

Both players will be hoping to put the Mixed Doubles disappointment behind them and make a positive start in their respective singles contests.

With several days of competition still ahead, Team Nigeria will be seeking stronger performances across its events as the country’s athletes continue their quest for success at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.