ITTF has concluded a productive site visit to Dakar, Senegal, confirming excellent preparations for the table tennis competition at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The inspection, led by Mohamed Eldawlatly, ITTF Head of Events, reinforced confidence in what promises to be an outstanding tournament.
The table tennis competition will take place from 31 October to 5 November 2026 at the Dakar Expo Centre, positioned just 10 minutes from the Youth Olympic Village. This proximity provides a significant advantage for athletes, minimising travel time and maximising rest and preparation opportunities.
The short distance allows athletes to return to the village between sessions and maintain their regular routines—crucial factors for young competitors experiencing their first major international tournament.
ITTF is fully committed to the success of the first Olympic event on the African continent and will provide comprehensive technical support for the Dakar 2026 table tennis competition. A dedicated Technical Competition Team, comprising an ITTF Technical Delegate and Competition Manager from the federation’s professional staff, will ensure the highest standards of event management.
This support extends beyond competition operations, with ITTF Development activities playing a crucial role in the athletes’ qualification process. This is particularly significant for African players, many of whom are progressing through development programmes currently taking place across the continent, including talent identification events like the ongoing Africa Hopes Week & Challenge in Lagos.
The inspection team worked closely with organisers to maximise spectator capacity and enhance athlete facilities. Plans are advancing to optimise seating configurations whilst ensuring excellent viewing conditions and broadcast quality.
The venue’s flexibility allows for reconfiguration between competition phases, accommodating maximum participation in early rounds while creating intimate, arena-style environments for medal matches.
Special attention is being given to spectator experience, with plans to incorporate Senegalese cultural elements into competition presentation. Many spectators will be experiencing high-level table tennis for the first time, creating opportunities for innovative fan engagement.
The Youth Olympic Games’ emphasis on education and inspiration provides scope for creative presentation that honours both local traditions and Olympic values.
African Development Milestone
Dakar 2026 also represents a significant milestone for African table tennis development. Young players across the continent now have the inspiring prospect of competing in a Youth Olympic Games on home soil.
ITTF’s expanding development work across Africa creates clear pathways for emerging talents, with current Hopes programme participants potentially progressing to compete in Dakar. The timing aligns perfectly with the federation’s continental development strategy.
ITTF’s support for Dakar 2026 encompasses athlete development, technical expertise, and promoting table tennis growth across Africa and the global youth sports community. As the continent strengthens its table tennis infrastructure through expanding development programmes, the timing is ideal for this landmark event.
Preparations will now focus on finalising venue enhancements and operational procedures, ensuring the world’s best young table tennis players find a competition environment worthy of their talents when they arrive in Dakar.
The countdown to what promises to be a memorable tournament has begun.
Sign-ups are underway for children wanting to play in the Spring Softball League with the Newcastle Youth Sports Association.
Area parents can sign up their children from the end of December through January 31, 2026. Those registering before December 20 can receive a discount on their $55 fee. Register at: https://playpass.com/ ok-NYSA, and then use the code SPRING26.
You can also refer a friend and get $10 off your next registration. These can be done online at https://playpass. com/ok-nysa/invite.
The Spring League is from March 1 through June 30, 2026 and plays at 3009 State Highway 130 in Newcastle. The game schedule is dependent on number of teams and how many rain outs they could have.
NYSA states it will do its best to have each age group on its own set night, but we don’t have a way to know which nights until we see how many teams sign up in each age group, and the coordination with other cities is complete.
Team signups can also be completed through the website. They are $175 each.
The NYSA states that it is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and positive environment where youth of all skill levels, from beginners to competitive players, can develop their softball skills, sportsmanship, and love for the game.
They believe in promoting community, teamwork and personal growth.
The 2025 U.S. defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the Senate on Wednesday and is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk, includes provisions that ban biological males from women’s sports at U.S. military academies.
“The NDAA also permanently prohibits men from playing on women’s sports teams at all military academies,” reads a section of a Dec. 9 administrative statement addressing the bill from Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.
Trans athletes have been prohibited from competing in NCAA sports dating back to February 6, when the NCAA updated its gender eligibility policy to comply with Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order.
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A federal appeals court has also recently allowed the Pentagon to temporarily enforce its ban on transgender military service members.
The latest bill is one of the last remaining items that congress will address in 2025.
Lawmakers banded together to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a roughly $901 billion package crammed to the brim with defense policy that unlocks funding for several of the Trump administration’s national defense priorities.
TOP GOP SENATOR URGES OLYMPIC OFFICIALS TO SWIFTLY ENACT ‘DECISIVE POLICY’ BANNING MEN FROM WOMEN’S SPORTS
The measure passed through the upper chamber on a 77-20 bipartisan vote. It’s a perennial legislative exercise lawmakers undertake, and one that normally comes and goes with little fuss, given that Congress typically bookends the year with it.
Other provisions, like a requirement for the Pentagon to release the unedited footage of boat strikes in the Caribbean in exchange for fully funding the Department of War’s travel fund, raised eyebrows but didn’t slow down the package’s success.
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That provision comes as lawmakers demand more transparency in the Trump administration’s strikes against alleged drug boats, and in particular, as they seek the release of the footage from a Sept. 2 double-strike on a vessel.
“This defense authorization act, although it doesn’t have as much in there for defense as a lot of us would like, is a step in the right direction,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said. “And I think the defense appropriations bill, which hopefully we’ll vote on later this week, is another example of the investment that we need to be making, to ensure that in a dangerous world, we are prepared to defend America and American interests.”
Fox News Digital’s Alex Miller contributed to this report.
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Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/Gray News) – Two children in Idaho are critically injured after a tree fell on them while they were waiting for the school bus.
The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office said high winds caused rotten trees to fall on power lines before collapsing on the children.
The kids, both under the age of 10, and an older sibling were waiting outside for their bus when the tree collapsed. According to the sheriff’s office, the older sibling was not injured.
Aaron Hudson, the Twin Falls fire deputy chief, told KTVB first responders had to first get the kids out from the tree and downed power lines before they could prepare them for transport.
The sheriff’s office said one of the children was taken to the hospital by ambulance, while the other was airlifted.
According to Hudson, the weather conditions caused difficulties during transport. He said that it prevented the helicopter from going any further than the local hospital.
The family of the children has started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses.
Copyright 2025 KMVT via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Welcome to another Feel Good Friday from our friends at GoFundMe, where we celebrate the stories that remind us why youth sports matter far beyond wins and losses. Today’s spotlight features five remarkable fundraising campaigns that showcase how communities are supporting youth athletics through grassroots fundraising.
Community Rallies to Save Lōkahi Water Polo Club After Vandalism
The Lōkahi Water Polo club recently faced a heartbreaking setback when they discovered that three of their four inflatable goals had been slashed with a knife or scissors. These goals are essential for the community-based team, which consists of kids ages 6 to 18 who practice right in the ocean. While the damage felt like a targeted attack, the club is using the experience to teach its players about perseverance and grit. They are refusing to let the incident dampen their spirit of unity and Aloha.
The community quickly rallied behind the team to make sure the kids could keep playing. One local coach even lent the club a goal to keep them operational, while parents jumped in immediately to patch the damaged equipment. To help cover the costs of the expensive goals, which run about $600 each, the club turned to the community for help. A GoFundMe was set up to raise the necessary funds for replacements, and the response was more than they could have hoped for.
Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support, the GoFundMe exceeded its goal. The club now has enough money to repair the nets and replace their equipment, ensuring they can continue practicing for the USA Water Polo Jr. Olympics. Even when the world isn’t full of Aloha, the team is proving they can power through any challenge. As their motto says, “We are the storm,” and this community support has ensured the club will come out stronger than ever.
Sunset Park Shines: PS 503 Basketball Program Soars on Wave of Community Support
Sunset Park basketball players at PS 503 are preparing for their third season, determined to build on the success of their championship winning, undefeated season last year. The Title 1 school team, representing a community filled with resilience and heart, continues to show a strong commitment to pushing themselves academically and athletically. The program is helping students build something bigger than basketball as they become the pride of Sunset Park.
To ensure the athletes have the necessary tools, gear, and support to compete at a high level, the coaches launched a GoFundMe with a goal of $6,200. The community’s response was spectacular, quickly surpassing the initial target.
The generosity from the community directly impacts the young athletes and helps the school build a program that inspires the entire neighborhood. The support for the team is a testament to the belief in what these kids can achieve, a spirit that helped spark their special, undefeated season last year. The team is ready to rise to any challenge as they prepare for their upcoming season.
Tampa Bay Community Rallies to Raise $8,500 for Youth Tennis Ministry and After-School Expansion
For seven years, Serving Youth Tennis has been dedicated to building biblical character and creating pathways to college for at-risk youth throughout the Tampa Bay Area. What started as a small ministry with a few donated racquets has blossomed into a life changing program where kids grow in skill, character, and faith. The organization provides completely free tennis instruction, summer camps, and academic incentive programs, ensuring that hundreds of youth every year have access to high quality sports ministry and mentorship.
The program is currently preparing for its most ambitious chapter yet by working toward owning a dedicated facility. This space would house a full time after school program, allowing the ministry to offer daily tutoring, structured tennis training, and expanded leadership development. By having a permanent home, the organization aims to serve more children with a deeper impact, helping them feel seen and supported while they grow into the next generation of leaders and athletes.
To help turn this dream into a reality, the organization launched its 7 Days of Giving campaign. The community responded with incredible generosity, and the fundraiser successfully raised $8,500 to support the mission. “Serving Youth Tennis isn’t just a sports program — it’s a ministry,” and these funds will directly help provide the mentorship and resources necessary to build stronger families and safer communities across Tampa Bay.
Community Generosity Sends Marching Maroons to State Championship in Detroit
The Marching Maroons band recently traveled to Detroit to support the Menominee Maroons Varsity football team during their state championship finals against Schoolcraft. Following a thrilling semi-final victory, the band was determined to bring the spirit of Menominee to the big game and cheer their team on from the stands. This unforgettable journey was a major milestone for the students, providing them with the opportunity to participate in a high-stakes championship environment.
The logistics for such a trip involved significant costs for bus transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals for all band members. Although initial quotes for these travel expenses came in higher than anticipated, the organization remained committed to ensuring every student could attend. To cover the rising costs, they reopened their fundraising efforts and turned to their local community for assistance in bridging the financial gap.
Ultimately, the trip was made possible by an incredible outpouring of local support that saw nearly $10,000 raised on GoFundMe. These funds ensured that every member of the Marching Maroons could travel safely and represent their school with pride on the biggest stage in the state. The generosity of the community helped create lifelong memories for the students as they stood proudly with their team throughout the competition.
Whirlie Nation Rallies Behind State Champions for Final Goal: The Rings
The Whirlies football team is still riding high after their huge state championship win in Chapel Hill. The victory followed months of hard work that began back in January, creating memories that will stick with the players forever. Now, the coaches are looking to cap off this amazing season by getting every single player a championship ring, a well deserved reward for all their dedication.
Right now, the team is still fundraising to make those rings a reality. They’re reaching out to the entire Whirlie Nation community for a final push. Every little bit helps, whether it is $5 or $50. Folks can even sponsor a specific player’s ring with a $250 donation, or businesses can contribute $1000 or more to get some sponsor recognition.
The coaching staff is incredibly grateful for the support from the community all season long, saying they are “infinitely grateful for everything you do for us”. As they work towards this final goal, they want to assure everyone that not a single dollar will be taken for granted. It is still a work in progress, but with the community’s help, they’ll soon have those rings to celebrate their championship run.
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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
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Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
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We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – We’re one step closer to the opening of one of the biggest developments in the Tucson area.
Early Wednesday, Dec. 17, the community gathered for a ceremony celebrating the final beam being placed for the Mosaic Quarter indoor iceplex.
This build and the field house for indoor sports like basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and badminton are all part of Phase I of the project.
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Family, project partners, and prominent members of the community gathered to sign the Mosaic Quarter banner and celebrate the final beam being placed.
And Mosaic Quarter CEO Frank Knott praised everyone who has worked on the build.
“I’m more happy for them that they get to see the last piece of infrastructure on the building,” Knott said.
But he added it’s much more than just a building, they really wanted to make something meaningful for the community. That involved a lot of research and community outreach.
“When you’re asking people questions and just listening, it’s an incredibly easy process, especially for a guy that’s not from here originally,” Knott said.
County Supervisor Rex Scott praised the project and the Knott family’s dedication to lifting up the community.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 6, approved the leases for Mosaic Quarter, a billion-dollar sports complex.(Pima County)
“Youth sports can change lives,” Scott said. “And that has been a guiding belief and a guiding principle.”
Although the structure is in place, there’s still a lot of work to be done on the 175,000-square-foot ice plex, which is expected to be finished in early 2027.
The billion-dollar project is privately financed and uses no taxpayer money.
Scott said the potential economic impact for our region is more than $12 billion.
“One of the most significant public-private partnerships,” Scott said. “Not just in southern Arizona, but throughout the state.”
This first phase alone costs $425 million, and Knott and his family said they have stayed on budget and on time.
And Knott said there’s a reason for that.
“We plan everything out as if there’s going to be a calamity every day,” Knott said. “And so, for us, this is the reward we all get for extreme logistical planning.”
The iceplex will bring in traveling teams, host events for the University of Arizona, and offer recreational memberships for the community.
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