ANOCA’s inaugural African School Games begins in Algeria

The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) says the maiden edition of the African School Games has begun in Algeria.

Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), in a statement on Friday, said that the games, being held in Annaba, Algeria, would run from July 25 to Aug. 5.

He said the games would serve as a crucial platform for discovering and nurturing young athletic talents across the continent.

“This initiative is a vital springboard to prepare Africa’s future stars for the primary international stages.”

According to Nezianya, the events, which will hold across four venues, are timely as the continent prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games for the first time.

“The goal is to strengthen and encourage young people to begin honing their talents and skills for elite competitions like the Olympic Games.

“The games will feature a comprehensive programme, with at least 20 sporting events, providing young athletes with many opportunities.

“In a significant move to ensure mass participation, the host nation of Algeria has offered free accommodation and free entry visas to all 54 African countries.

“This gesture of visa waivers may also be intended to support ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf, an Algerian national who leads the continental Olympic body,” he said.

Nezianya quoted Nigeria’s Leader of Delegation, Amaka Ashiofu from the National Sports Commission (NSC), as saying that 68 Athletes representing the country were from 10 Sports where the country has comparative advantage.

She listed the 10 sports to include Athletics, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Canoeing, Football, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Swimming and Badminton.

“In a determined bid to ensure that those who were entered for the Games were bonafide students who had met the standards as genuine, they brought letters of attestation from their schools and report cards.

“After their selection, they were camped for 12 days because of their promotional examinations.”

The Secretary General of the NOC, Tunde Poopola, was also quoted as saying that he was confident the youngsters being show-cased in the Games would perform well during the competition because of their enthusiasm.

“I can see enthusiasm in their faces; they are full of innocence and there are no previous records to reference as this is a brand new Games,” Ashiofu said.

Coach Fortune Olayiwola of Canoeing said athletes did well in competitions when they were motivated.

“If you motivate them to do well, they tend to exceed expectations,” Olayiwola said.

Taekwondo Coach, Victor Nwangwu, shared Olayiwola’s sentiment, noting that the team had considerable experience from some local competitions and limited international meets.

Coach Yakubu Musa Argungu, of the Beach Volleyball, said although the team was relatively new and honed their skills using improvised facilities, they hoped to leave lasting impressions on the Games.

“It is the same sandy surface but only the weather is different.

“Whatever the case, we promise to make it, considering the impressive showings recently.

“Some members of the team have had considerable international exposure,” Musa said.

While the Games’ had already commenced, the Algerian organisers have planned an official opening ceremonies

The Chairman of the NSC, Malam Shehu Dikko, and the Director-General, Bukola Olopade, are expected to arrive in Ànnaba to witness the grand opening of the event.