Millicent Ankude selected as umpire for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Ghanaian table tennis official Millicent Ankude has been chosen to serve as an umpire at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

Ankude secured her position through the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Young Umpires Project. This initiative was designed to prepare officials for the upcoming games. Her selection follows her successful completion of the International Umpire examinations earlier this year.

This appointment marks a transition for Ankude from a competitive athlete to an international official. She previously represented Ghana at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she competed in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles categories.

Her role at the Dakar games coincides with the first time an Olympic event will be hosted on the African continent. The selection also aligns with the ITTF FEMpowerment initiative, which focuses on increasing leadership and visibility for women within the sport.

Ankude's progression from a player to an official highlights the pathways available for women in table tennis. Her achievement is a significant milestone for the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) as the nation continues to increase its international presence in the sport.