LOBAMBA – Host nation Eswatini has seized control of the athletics medal table after the opening day of the National Youth Games.
The inaugural Games kicked off today, Saturday August 15, 2026 and will wrap up tomorrow, Sunday August 16.
Action is spread across three venues being Somhlolo National Stadium and OlympAfrica Centre in Lobamba, as well as Enjabulweni Independent Schools in Moneni.
Athletics took centre stage at Somhlolo, where sprinters from Lesotho and Seychelles tested their speed against Eswatini’s four regional teams. The host nation has divided itself into four: Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini and Shiselweni.
Races were contested over 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1 500m for both boys and girls, alongside Special Olympics events.
According to the Local Organising Committee’s Day-one medal count, Eswatini’s four regions combine for 20 medals.
Manzini Region lead the charge with three golds and two silvers for a total of five medals. Lubombo Region sit second overall with three golds, one silver and one bronze. Hhohho Region ranks third with six medals; one gold, two silvers and three bronzes.
Meanwhile, Lesotho are fourth after Lelaka Matebatso claimed gold in the girls’ 1 500m, while Katiso Liau added bronze in the boys’ 800m.
Shiselweni Region hold fifth place with four medals which are two silvers and two bronzes.
Finally, Seychelles sit at the bottom of the table with one silver and one bronze. After topping her heat, Aaliyah Nicette finished second in the girls’ 100m behind Manzini’s Yoliswa Simelane. Odysius Melanie collected bronze in the boys’ 100m.
It is worth noting that Eswatini has by far the largest contingent, with some events contested solely by local athletes. Lesotho and Seychelles each entered only two athletes today and both nations still managed to leave the track with podium finishes.
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