BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE – The Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) has selected three young athletes to represent the country in swimming, athletics and taekwondo at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, giving them an opportunity to compete internationally and gain valuable experience.
The team was announced during a press conference, with Luca Fraser, Knowledge Mkhwanazi and Simisile Thwala confirmed as Eswatini’s representatives at the Games.
Fraser will compete in the 50m breaststroke in swimming, while Mkhwanazi will compete in the 100m athletics event. Thwala will represent Eswatini in the -55kg taekwondo category.
The athletes will be accompanied by their respective coaches, with Mluleki Simelane serving as swimming coach, Muzi Mabuza as athletics coach and Mbongeni Nzibandze as taekwondo coach. Zakhele Zulu has been appointed Chef de Mission for Team Eswatini.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are expected to bring together approximately 2 700 young athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees, competing across 25 sporting codes.
The EOCGA said Team Eswatini will travel to Dakar in a staggered manner according to the respective competition schedules and expressed confidence that the young athletes will carry the country’s flag with pride and determination.
Meanwhile, the EOCGA announced the appointment of Lerato Dlamini as the new Olympafrica Centre Director, following the departure of Thoba Mazibuko.
Dlamini will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Olympafrica Centre and support the implementation of programmes and activities hosted at the facility.
The association said the two developments reflect its continued commitment to developing young athletes, strengthening sporting structures and creating opportunities for sport, youth and community development in Eswatini.
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(Courtesy Pic)
