Paarl Boys High Cyclist Yahyaa Martin Selected For Major 2026 Kenya Training Camp

• Yahyaa Martin, a student at Paarl Boys High School, earned a spot on Cycling South Africa's squad for a prestigious continental training camp
• The camp in Kenya forms part of an IOC, UCI and CAC partnership aimed at preparing African cyclists for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games
• Paarl Boys High School celebrated the achievement, calling the selection an amazing opportunity for the young rider

A Paarl Boys High School cyclist is heading to Kenya this October after earning a coveted spot at an elite African training camp. Yahyaa Martin was selected by Cycling South Africa to attend the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Road Training Camp, a development programme linked directly to the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.

Martin will arrive in Kenya on 1 October and depart on 25 October, spending nearly a month training alongside other promising African road cyclists.

A camp built for Olympic preparation

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The training camp is the result of a partnership between three major sporting bodies: the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and the CAC. Its primary goal is to prepare African road cyclists who have qualified, or are expected to qualify, for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The programme focuses on athlete development and ensuring competitors are ready for both continental and Olympic-level racing.

Martin's place at the camp was not handed to him. His selection was based on eligibility criteria set by the CAC and the qualification requirements specific to the Dakar 2026 Youth Games, meaning he met a standard set at the highest level of African youth cycling.

As seen in the post below.

Paarl Boys High School celebrates Yahyaa

Paarl Boys High School, one of South Africa's most celebrated sports schools, announced the news on Instagram on 3 September 2026. The school did not hold back in expressing its pride, saying:

"Well done Yahyaa. The entire Boys High is backing you in this amazing opportunity!"

The school's backing reflects how significant the achievement is. Making the national squad for a programme tied to the Youth Olympics is a milestone few young South African cyclists reach, and for a student from the Western Cape to earn that recognition speaks to the depth of talent being developed at the institution.

Source: Briefly News