A New Chapter in African Table Tennis
FOR Salma Bahloul, the countdown to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 has been filled with excitement, anticipation, and a sense of disbelief.
At just 25, the Tunisian table tennis umpire has transformed a childhood dream into reality.
Those sacrifices have now brought her to a historic breakthrough. With a blend of skill, determination, and home-reputation, her commitment paid off in 2022 when she earned her status as an international umpire. Four years later, she achieved the prestigious Blue Badge certification, placing her among the sport's elite officials and marking another significant step in her career.
Her selection for Dakar 2026 is particularly meaningful because it combines two dreams in one. Not only will she participate in an Olympic event, but she will also do so at the first-ever Olympic competition hosted in Africa.
For Bahloul, that fact carries immense significance.
"I was excited and delighted, not only as an umpire but also as an African," she said. "Africa hosting its first Olympic event is something very special."
A Journey Beyond the Podiums
Becoming an Olympic athlete was never a realistic ambition, she admits, as she came to table tennis too late to pursue a playing career. Nevertheless, she refused to abandon the dream since childhood: being part of the Olympic movement.
"I loved watching the Olympic Games on TV when I was younger," Bahloul said. "For years, I dreamed of being part of the Games, but I did not know how that could happen."
Yet long before umpirng entered her life, the Olympic Games had already captured Bahloul's imagination. As a young girl, she spent countless hours watching the world's greatest sporting spectacle on television, dreaming of one day being part of it.
Instead, it started with a simple desire to volunteer.
Bahloul first became involved in table tennis five years ago through the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation. Fluent in English, Arabic, French, and Italian, she joined as a volunteer translator and media attaché, helping to support international competitions held in Tunisia. At the time, she was simply looking for an enjoyable way to contribute to the sport and gain valuable experience. Little did she know that this decision would change the course of her life.
While working behind the scenes at tournaments around the world came with significant costs, creating challenges for both Bahloul and her family.
"It was not easy for my parents, especially with the cost of travelling to tournaments," she recalled. "But they supported me every step of the way, and I would not have reached this point without them."
Her parents became her strongest supporters, helping her plan every journey and encouraging her to continue when obstacles emerged. Their unwavering belief in her ambition provided the foundation upon which she built her success.
Looking Ahead to Dakar 2026
As she prepares for Dakar 2026, Salma Bahloul stands as a powerful reminder that dreams do not always unfold in the way we expect. Sometimes the road to the Olympic Games begins entirely and found another route to the top.
Despite her excitement, the reality has yet to fully sink in. "It still feels unreal," she admitted. "I think it will only become real when I arrive in Dakar."
Beyond the milestone that awaits her in Senegal, Bahloul remains focused on the future. Her goal is to continue progressing through the officiating ranks, earn the coveted Gold Badge, and ultimately officiate at the Olympic Games.
In many ways, table tennis has already given Bahloul more than she ever imagined. It has provided opportunities to travel, develop professionally, and learn valuable life lessons about discipline, resilience, and fairness. Most importantly, it has shown her that dedication opens doors.
Egypt Dominates 2026 ITTF Africa Championships
Attention will be firmly focused on the Arena Olympic in Tangier, Morocco, as the race for continental supremacy reaches its climax.
Egypt have once again demonstrated why they remain the dominant force in African table tennis. The defending champions have sent a clear message to their rivals, dispatching opponents with authority and rarely conceding a set in both the men's and women's events.
Leading the charge are star players Omar Assar and Hana Goda, who are determined to help Egypt extend a remarkable reign that has seen them claim the team titles consecutively over the past five years.
However, Algeria are equally motivated and appear ready to challenge Egypt's dominance. The Algerian side will look to the experienced twins, Jade and Tania, while the men's side heavily relies on the talented Maurice Mehdi Bouloussa to inspire a historic achievement. Her selection for Dakar 2026 takes Tunisian to dream peaks.
Algeria are aiming to secure their first-ever continental team title.
With perennial finalists Nigeria absent from this year's competition, the Nigerian women's team rely heavily on the talented North African showdown as both nations battle for the continental crown.
The semi-finals will take place before the championship matches, setting the stage for what could be a memorable finale. As the competition reaches its climax, fans across Africa and beyond will turn their attention to Tangier to see which nation rises to the occasion and lifts the coveted trophies at the end of the tournament.
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