Bangkok:The Thai youth national team is in full preparation mode for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, "Dakar 2026," scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. The host nation will feature 25 sports, with 153 gold medals available. Thailand has secured 28 qualifying spots across 11 sports, including athletics, badminton, beach handball, beach volleyball, boxing, judo, rowing, cycling, windsurfing, aquatics, and table tennis.
According to Thai News Agency, the Badminton Association of Thailand has nominated Pannatat Prempanpong and Kungkaew Kakanik to represent the country in men's and women's singles, respectively. The President of the association emphasized the importance of focusing on Kungkaew's physical conditioning and strategic gameplay under the guidance of Sakrapee Thongsari, a former national player. Despite being in top physical form, Kungkaew is cautious about the pressure of competing in her largest tournament yet.
Thailand will face stiff competition from Asian nations like China, Japan, and Indonesia, as well as European countries with advanced athletic capabilities. Meanwhile, rising cycling talent Sunisa Jumthong will compete in the road race and women's time trial. Under the mentorship of Lieutenant Colonel-to-be Jutathip Maneephan, Sunisa is expected to leverage her experience from the Asian Youth Games to perform well on the flat, coastal circuits in Senegal.
General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand, highlighted the unique challenge of the event, where each nation can only enter one athlete per sport, necessitating a high degree of independence and skill from each competitor.