Joanita Borteye has been appointed deputy captain of Team Ghana for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, following her impressive performances in youth table tennis.
The 2026 Africa Youth Championships gold medallist will support the Ghanaian contingent at the multi-sport event, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) confirmed Borteye’s appointment, alongside the selection of beach volleyball player Daniel Lartey as team captain and badminton player Obapomba Adu-Mintah as flag bearer.
Borteye earns leadership role after continental success
Borteye secured the deputy captaincy after recording notable results in recent competitions, including winning the Under-15 mixed doubles title at the 2026 ITTF-Africa Youth Championships in Accra.
She also recently competed at the ITTF Africa Championships in Tangier, Morocco, gaining further international experience ahead of the Youth Olympic Games.
Her appointment reflects the confidence placed in her ability to contribute beyond competition by supporting her teammates and promoting unity within the Ghanaian delegation.
Adu-Mintah named flag bearer
Badminton player Obapomba Adu-Mintah has been selected to carry Ghana’s national flag at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.
He will represent the country during the ceremonies marking the beginning and conclusion of the competition.
Meanwhile, beach volleyball player Daniel Lartey will lead the delegation as captain, with Borteye serving as his deputy.
The three athletes will take on key leadership responsibilities as Ghana’s young competitors prepare to represent their country on the international stage.
Ghana to compete in eight sports
According to the GOC, Ghana will participate in eight sporting disciplines: athletics, badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, judo, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.
The country has selected 13 athletes for the competition, with the delegation comprising competitors aged between 13 and 17 who qualified through their respective international sporting pathways.
The Games will provide the athletes with an opportunity to compete against international opposition, gain valuable experience and contribute to the development of Ghanaian sport.
Dakar 2026 to make African sporting history
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will mark a historic milestone, with Dakar becoming the first African city to host the event.
Scheduled for October 31 to November 13, the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games is expected to attract approximately 2,700 athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees.
The programme will feature 25 sports, alongside 10 engagement sports designed to encourage participation and introduce young people to different sporting activities.
Ghana targets another Youth Olympic success
Ghana has participated in all three previous editions of the Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore in 2010, Nanjing in 2014 and Buenos Aires in 2018.
The country’s most notable achievement came at the 2014 Games in Nanjing, China, where Martha Bissah won gold in the women’s 800 metres to become Ghana’s first Youth Olympic champion.
As the country prepares for Dakar 2026, the delegation will seek to build on that achievement while upholding the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
With Borteye, Adu-Mintah and Lartey taking on key leadership roles, Team Ghana will look to combine individual performances with collective effort as its young athletes prepare to compete at the historic African edition of the Games.