The African Games is a multi-disciplinary pan-African sports competition that holds every four years.
It was formally known as the All-African Games.
History of the African Games
The African Games were established to promote African sports and cultural exchanges between members states of the African Union.
The first edition was held in Brazaville in 1965, followed by Lagos in 1973, Algiers in 1978, Nairobi in 1987, Cairo in 1991, Harare in 1995, Johannesburg in 1999, Abuja in 2003, then back to Algiers in 2007.
In 2011, the All Africa Games were held in Maputo, then in Brazaville in 2015 with the change of name to the African Games, Rabat in 2019 and the present edition in Accra, which was initially scheduled for 2023.
The 13th African Games
The 13th edition of the African Games will take place in Accra, Ghana from March 8 to 23, 2024.
Athletes from across 54 countries in Africa will be competing in various disciplines divided into three categories: Olympic Qualifiers, Non- Olyphant Qualifiers and Demonstration Sports.
For Olympic Qualifiers, the disciplines include: wrestling, triathlon, tennis, table tennis, swimming, cycling, badminton and athletics.
The following disciplines fall under the category of Non-Olympic Qualifiers: weightlifting, volleyball, taekwondo, rugby, karate, judo, hockey, handball, football, cricket, chess, boxing, beach volleyball, basketball, arm wrestling.
Demonstration Sports include teqball, speedball, scrabble, sambo, pickleball, mixed martial arts and e-sports.
Competition Sites
The opening and closing ceremonies of the African Games will take place in the University of Ghana Stadium with the Games Village just beside.
Other competition sites include the Borteyman Sports Complex, the Achimota Golf and Cricket pitches, and the Accra Hockey pitch.
Cameroon at the 13th African Games
Cameroon is sending forth a 102-man delegation to the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana. This delegation will consist of 65 athletes, 19 coaches, 11 medical staff and seven team managers.
Cameroon’s 65 athletes will compete in athletics (10), boxing (3), weightlifting (4), handball – women (16), judo (8), karate (6), wrestling (6) and volleyball – men (12).
It is the hope of many that team Cameroon will do exploits at the 13th edition of the African Games in order to once more bring glory to the country.
Eleanor Ayuketah Ngochi on assignment in Accra, Ghana
