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THE Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) signed a hosting agreement earlier this month with the Angolan government and the Olympic Committee (COA) for the Fourth African Youth Games.
The Games will bring together thousands of young athletes from the 54 African countries to compete in 20 sports disciplines.
Angola will have the opportunity to showcase its national talent and will also host competitions leading up to the Games, which will serve as a trial run.
“These Games afford a unique opportunity to reveal African talent and prepare our young people to excel on the continental and world stages,” said ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf, according to the organisation’s official press release. Berraf led the signing ceremony, together with First Vice President of ANOCA João da Costa Alegre Afonso and ANOCA Executive Board member who doubles as ANOCA Zone VI President, Alfred Foloko. On the Angolan side, the delegation was led by COA President Gustavo Dias Vaz da Conceição.
The agreement commits the parties to work together to:
Ensure exemplary organisation of the 2025 African Youth Games.
Provide modern and accessible infrastructure.
Promote the values of Olympism among young Africans.
Build local capacities through training and collaboration programmes.
During the event, Berraf led the officials on a tour of several sports facilities, including the new NOC headquarters currently under construction and the Olympafrica Centre and highlighted the significant progress of ongoing projects, such as the Kilamba Multisports Pavilion and the 11 November Stadium.
Minister Rui Falcão emphasised that the infrastructure will meet the needs of the athletes while giving Angola greater exposure internationally. ANOCA also awarded the Medal of the Order of Merit to the President of the Republic of Angola, João Lourenço, in recognition of his commitment to sports promotion and development in Angola.
The Fourth African Youth Games will be part of commemorative activities of the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence and will also serve as a springboard for the Youth Olympic Games in 2026 held in Dakar, Senegal.
The African Youth Games is a multi-sports event held every four years. The competition is open to only youth-level (under 18) athletes who come from ANOCA members (Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa).
The next one is set for 2025 in Angola. —Agencies/Sports Reporter.
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