IHF Beach Handball Working Group (BHWG) Member, IHF Beach Handball Expert and globally-successful coach, Tamàs Neukum, was in Dakar, Senegal earlier this month to deliver Beach Handball courses to coaches and referees as well as running training sessions for talent identification of potential national team players.

Neukum’s work comes well in advance of the African nation hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar from 30 October to 13 November 2026 – just over 700 days away. As host nation, Senegal have the option to enter both a men’s and women’s team in the Beach Handball competitions at the global sporting event for young athletes.

Neukum’s programme, in partnership with the Senegalese Handball Federation, took place over four days in the Parcelles Assainies commune of the capital city and featured 15 coaches, four referees and two technical delegates, plus numerous young athletes, before concluding with a closing ceremony. The overall aim was to continue the development of the sport throughout the country.

“The IHF, and personally, President Dr Hassan Moustafa, is committed to ensuring that Senegal can participate in the Youth Olympic Games with well-prepared teams and to further develop the success of this to make Beach Handball a popular and successful sport in Senegal,” explained Neukum.

“For this reason, the IHF and the Senegalese Handball Federation are starting to develop a project, the first step of which is myself coming to introduce the sport to coaches and referees and hold training sessions for potential future players.  

“I met very motivated leaders, coaches and players,” he added about his experience in Dakar. “It was wonderful to work with them and I believe that if we can start a good project, they will be successful and will love this great sport.”

Beach Handball at the Youth Olympic Games

The 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will be held in Dakar, Senegal from 31 October to 13 November 2026.

Dakar will be the fourth edition of the YOG, following its debut in Singapore (2010), the second edition in Nanjing, China (2014) and most recent edition, in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2018).

Traditional, indoor handball featured at the 2010 and 2014 editions, before being replaced by Beach Handball at the 2018 edition, the debut event won by Argentina (women) and Spain (men).

The YOG is a major event which embodies the Olympic spirit, sporting excellence and the promotion of youth. The event has become a pillar of the Olympic Movement and is more than just sporting competitions. The YOG are part of an educational and cultural programme aimed at instilling the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence in young people around the world.

The election of Dakar as the host city of the YOG 2026 marks a historic moment for Africa. The decision was taken at the 133rd IOC Session in October 2018, making Dakar the first African city to host the YOG.

Initially planned for 2022, Dakar was postponed to 2026 due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has allowed for better planning of the event and ensured its success.

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