12 November 2026 | Dakar, Senegal | As Oceania’s young athletes compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) is highlighting the importance of strengthening the leadership and management of national delegations through its Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP).

Seven of the 15 Chefs de Mission leading Oceania’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) delegations at Dakar 2026 have completed ONOC’s newly introduced OSEP Chef de Mission Course, demonstrating the practical application of regional sport education at a major international Games.

Piloted in November 2025 and rolled out in 2026, the course was developed to strengthen the knowledge, competencies and preparedness of delegation leaders responsible for supporting athletes and officials at major multi-sport events.

With the Youth Olympic Games now underway in Senegal, the programme’s relevance is particularly significant. Chefs de Mission are responsible for coordinating their delegations, supporting athlete wellbeing, managing operational requirements and ensuring that young athletes can focus on their sporting performances and overall Games experience.

For ONOC, this investment represents a broader commitment to strengthening the institutional and operational capacity of its member NOCs, ensuring that delegation leadership continues to develop across successive Games.

ONOC President Baklai Temengil said the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to investing in the people and systems that support athletes.

“Our young athletes are at the heart of everything we do. As they compete and represent their nations at Dakar 2026, it is equally important that they are supported by capable and well-prepared delegation leaders.

“Through OSEP, we are investing in the people who carry that responsibility. Strong delegation leadership contributes not only to a positive Games experience for our athletes, but also to building the long-term capacity of our National Olympic Committees.

“Dakar provides an important opportunity to see that investment in action, while continuing to strengthen our preparations for Los Angeles 2028 and future regional and international Games.”

ONOC President engages with athlete support services at Dakar 2026

During her visit to Dakar, ONOC President Baklai Temengil also visited the Athlete365 House and the ONOC Medical Shared Services Team, highlighting the importance of athlete education, wellbeing and coordinated support at major international Games.

At the Athlete365 House, the President had an opportunity to engage with an initiative focused on athlete education and the wider Olympic experience. Her visit to the ONOC Medical Shared Services Team also acknowledged the contribution of medical personnel supporting Oceania’s delegations throughout the Games.

These visits complement ONOC’s investment in Chef de Mission education through OSEP, reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening the leadership and services that support Oceania’s athletes.

Building towards Los Angeles 2028

Beyond Dakar, the OSEP Chef de Mission Course is contributing to Oceania’s preparations for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, Los Angeles 2028.

Already, 11 Chefs de Mission selected by their respective NOCs for LA28 have successfully completed the course.

ONOC, through OSEP, is working towards having the remaining NOCs identify their Chefs de Mission and complete the course by 2027, enabling delegation leaders to apply their learning at regional Games and other international competitions in the lead-up to Los Angeles.

This approach reinforces ONOC’s commitment to developing sustainable leadership capability within its member NOCs, rather than limiting Games preparation to individual events.

Oceania’s young athletes on the world stage

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, taking place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, mark the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Oceania’s participation includes 85 athletes from 15 NOCs, representing all ONOC member NOCs except Australia and New Zealand, according to the delegation list provided.

The regional contingent comprises 36 female and 49 male athletes competing across 10 sports, reflecting the diversity of Oceania’s sporting talent and the opportunities the Youth Olympic Games provide for emerging athletes.

Team sports account for 40 athletes, including Fiji’s women’s futsal and basketball teams, Solomon Islands’ men’s futsal and basketball teams, Cook Islands’ men’s beach handball team and Guam’s women’s beach volleyball team.

A further 45 athletes are participating in individual sports, including athletics, swimming, triathlon, boxing, beach wrestling and coastal rowing beach sprints.

Fiji has the largest contingent with 20 athletes, followed by Solomon Islands with 17 and Cook Islands with 13.

Athletes are also representing American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

With athletes aged 17 and under participating at Dakar 2026, the role of delegation leaders extends beyond competition management to providing a safe, supportive and positive environment for young people experiencing international multi-sport competition.

For ONOC, Dakar 2026 is therefore more than an opportunity to showcase Oceania’s emerging sporting talent. It is also an important demonstration of how investment in sport education, leadership development and NOC capacity-building contributes to stronger support systems for athletes throughout the region.