The year 2025 will be a busy one for the Olympic Movement in Africa. The first African School Games will take place from July 26 to August 5 in Algeria, followed by the fourth edition of the African Youth Games in Angola (December 10 to 20). These two events were at the heart of discussions during the extraordinary session of the virtual General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa on Monday, April 28. This was an opportunity for representatives of the 54 African NOCs and the African members of the IOC to discuss the strategic orientations and organizational arrangements for these Games.
“The foundations of a robust sports ecosystem”
The continent is certainly at a turning point in its sporting history. For the first time, Africa will host the Road Cycling World Championships in Rwanda in September. Egypt will also organize the Karate World Championships in November. Not to mention the prospect of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The African School Games and the African Youth Games are further steps to strengthen the movement. "These Games represent the future of African sport, insists Mustapha Berraf, president of ANOCA. By investing in our youth and creating new competition platforms adapted to different levels of development, we are laying the foundations for a robust and inclusive sports ecosystem on our continent.”
This is particularly true for the African School Games, which are the embodiment of the collaboration's agreement signed by ANOCA and the International School Sports Federation (ISF) in July 2024. The objectives are to foster talent development, improve sports infrastructure, train physical education teachers, and motivate students to participate more in sports. ISF President Laurent Petrynka will be visiting Algeria from June 2 to 5 to discuss cooperation with ANOCA and the upcoming School Games.
A scent of Los Angeles in Algeria
This summer, between 2.500 and 3.000 athletes from 54 countries will gather for the event. Twenty-five sports are on the program for this first edition, which is aimed at young people aged 14 to 17. Almost all of them will be represented at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, reinforcing the interest of these School Games as a springboard for future African Olympians: athletics, fencing, judo, BMX, badminton, football, swimming, volleyball, basketball, handball, kung-fu wushu, skateboarding, 3x3 basketball, gymnastics, taekwondo, beach volleyball, boxing, beach canoeing, table tennis, equestrian sports, cycling, wrestling, beach rowing, breaking, and tennis. Most will take place in Annaba, in northeast Algeria (13 disciplines). Constantine (6), Setif (5), and Skikda (2) will also be involved. During a visit to Constantine in mid-April, Algerian Sports Minister Walid Sadi assured that the country was ready. A sports complex, including a BMX track—a facility Algeria previously lacked—is due for completion in early June. Renovation of the Ain Smara multi-purpose sports hall, which will host the table tennis events, is also underway.
Monday's session, entitled "The African Games of the Future," provided an opportunity to " harmonize preparations and ensure optimal coordination between all parties involved in the organization of these two major continental sporting events "The discussions focused on logistical, technical, and organizational aspects. The presidents of the NOCs of Algeria and Angola took the floor to answer participants' questions and outline the various measures planned to ensure the success of these two major competitions. "These events are part of ANOCA's global vision, which aims to increase opportunities for young African talents and strengthen the continent's sporting structures. explains the instance. The African School Games, in particular, represent a major innovation that will help identify talent at an earlier age and strengthen links between the education system and the sports movement, a model that has proven itself in many countries with a strong sporting tradition. "And which must allow Africa to continue its development.
