Sports Wellness Summit 2026

Call for Abstracts

Echoes of Resilience: Forging Mental Wellness Pathways in African Sports

The Youth Initiative Development Programme (YIDP), in collaboration with strategic partners, is pleased to invite researchers, academics, postgraduate students, clinicians, sports practitioners, policymakers, and development professionals to submit abstracts for presentation at the Sports Wellness Summit 2026, taking place 19–20 November 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Summit serves as a continental platform for advancing research, knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and evidence-informed practice to strengthen athlete mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding, and sustainable sports ecosystems across Africa.

As African sport continues to evolve, there is an urgent need for multidisciplinary collaboration that bridges research, policy, and practice. The Summit seeks to showcase innovative studies, implementation experiences, and practical solutions that improve the wellbeing of athletes, coaches, officials, and sporting communities.

Who Should Submit?

We welcome submissions from:

Researchers and academics
University lecturers and faculty
Master’s and PhD students
Sports psychologists
Mental health professionals
Sports medicine practitioners
Coaches and technical officials
National sports federations
NGOs and development organizations
Government institutions
Public health professionals
Technology and innovation experts
Community-based organizations

Conference Themes

Abstracts are invited under (but not limited to) the following thematic areas:

1. Athlete Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing

Mental health promotion
Performance psychology
Burnout and recovery
Suicide prevention
Athlete resilience

2. Positive Masculinities in Sport

Boys and young men
Identity and masculinity
Emotional wellbeing
Violence prevention
Healthy relationships

3. Girls, Women and Safe Sport

Gender equity
Safeguarding
Leadership
Menstrual health
Prevention of gender-based violence

4. Sports Medicine and Integrated Care

Injury prevention
Rehabilitation
Multidisciplinary care
Athlete health systems
Return-to-play models

5. Digital Health, AI and Innovation

Artificial Intelligence
Digital wellbeing
Telehealth
Data analytics
Wearable technologies

6. Community, School and Grassroots Sport

Youth development
School sport
Community interventions
Physical education
Talent development

7. Public Health and Active Living

Physical activity
Nutrition
Non-communicable diseases
Lifestyle medicine
Health promotion

8. Sports Governance and Policy

Safe sport
Athlete welfare
Governance
Ethics
Child protection

9. Disability Inclusion and Adaptive Sport

Inclusive participation
Para sport
Accessibility
Universal design

10. Sustainable Sport Ecosystems

Climate and sport
ESG
Partnerships
Financing
Social innovation

Types of Abstracts Accepted

The Scientific Committee welcomes submissions in the following categories:

Original Research
Systematic Reviews
Case Studies
Programme Evaluations
Policy Papers
Innovation Showcases
Best Practice Presentations
Community-Based Interventions
Pilot Projects
Student Research

Abstract Guidelines

Authors should prepare abstracts in English using the following structure:

Title
Background
Objectives
Methodology
Results (or expected findings)
Discussion
Conclusion
Keywords (3–5)

Word Limit: Maximum 300 words

Presentation Formats

Successful abstracts may be selected for:

Oral Presentation
Poster Presentation
Lightning Talk
Panel Discussion
Innovation Showcase

Presentation format will be determined by the Scientific Review Committee.

Review Process

All submissions will undergo a peer-review process based on:

Relevance to conference theme
Scientific quality
Innovation
Practical implications
Methodological rigor
Potential impact on African sports

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Opens: July 2026

Submission Deadline: 25 August 2026

Notification of Acceptance: 10 September 2026

Presenter Registration Deadline: 30 September 2026

Sports Wellness Summit 2026: 19–20 November 2026

Awards

Outstanding submissions will be recognized during the Summit through awards including:

Best Research Paper
Best Student Research
Best Innovation
Best Community Impact Project
Best Poster Presentation

Why Participate?

Presenting at the Sports Wellness Summit provides an opportunity to:

Share your research with continental and international audiences.
Network with leading researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and sports organizations.
Contribute to evidence-based policies that strengthen athlete wellbeing.
Build interdisciplinary collaborations.
Increase the visibility and impact of your work.
Influence the future of mental health and wellbeing in African sport.