African athletes who will compete in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games have completed intensive training camps in China, according to Xinhua. The camps, part of the 2026 China‑Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges, brought 16‑year‑old Senegalese table tennis player Marieme Diallo and teammates from Senegal and Tunisia to Changsha and Tianjin for two‑month training in table tennis and other disciplines. They return home ready for the games that begin in mid‑November.
Training in Changsha
Diallo spent most of her time in Changsha City, central China, where she was struck by the dedication and consistency of her Chinese counterparts. "We can keep the ball in play much longer than usual because they taught us the proper techniques," the 16‑year‑old told Xinhua, highlighting her improved consistency. The camp focused on sharpening serves, returns, consistency on the backhand, footwork and mental stamina, enabling athletes to sustain four‑ to five‑hour sessions.
Tianjin & Beyond
Accompanying Diallo as coach for the Senegalese Table Tennis Federation, Marie Fara Mendy noted the training’s meticulous nature.
What impressed me most was the rigor, discipline and sports facilities. I was also impressed by the attention paid to technical details, the volume of ball practice and the role played by sparring partners.
Mendy added that "the physical conditioning, as well as the patience and kindness of the Chinese coaches despite the language barrier," helped the athletes. The camps also included friendly matches with local peers, expanding cultural exchange.
In Tianjin Huoyuanjia School, four Senegalese athletes, two boys and two girls, spent nearly two months refining their movements in changquan, wushu, changquan and taijiquan. The closed‑door camp emphasized technical precision, footwork drills, and sparring sessions, providing a holistic approach to combat and table tennis skills. Five‑hour practice periods helped athletes build endurance, while the disciplined environment fostered confidence.
Upon returning home, the players were described by Mendy as "highly motivated" and are approaching the Dakar YOG with both confidence and humility. "Their goal is to represent Senegal with pride in front of their home crowd and showcase the progress made in Senegalese table tennis," the coach said. The experience, emphasizing technical detail and rigorous training, was hailed as a formative step toward demonstrating Africa’s growing competitiveness on the world stage.
These training camps underscore the 2026 China‑Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges’ goal of raising African athletes’ standards. By intensifying skill development and fostering mutual understanding, the program positions athletes from Senegal, Tunisia, and other African nations to inspire their nations as the historic Youth Olympics launch on November 14 in Dakar.
