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Phl bets head for Dakar YOG

DT · Oct 30, 2026, 1:25 AM

SWIMMERS Jamesray Michael Ajido and Riannah Chantelle Coleman and wushu athlete Angel Polo (second to fourth from left) and coaches Jensen Halili, Ramil Ilustre and Li Jianfang arrive at the Istanbul Airport on their way to Dakar, Senegal for the 4th Youth Olympic Games. — PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF POC MEDIA POOL

ISTANBUL, Turkey — The first batch of athletes of a lean Team Philippines to the Dakar 4th Youth Olympic Games touched down at dawn Thursday in the Turkish capital after a 13-hour flight from Manila.

Swimmers Jamesray Michael Ajido and Riannah Chantelle Coleman and coaches Jensen Halili and Ramil Ilustre and wushu artist Angel Polo and Chinese coach Li Jianfang were on to an eight-hour layover before boarding a flight to Dakar that will take close to nine hours.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan and chef de mission Rocky Samsom will be at the YOG Athletes Village to welcome the athletes and coaches.

Ajido and Coleman will be the flag-bearers for Team Philippines in Saturday’s Opening Ceremony, but the duo won’t be completing the ceremony to hit the sack early and be ready for the heats Sunday.

Fortunately, the Opening Ceremony venue, the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, is just adjacent to the Athletes Village in Diamniadio town, a good 41 kms from Dakar.