The Outlook for the Future of the African Games

 

The African Games kicked off in Accra, Ghana, on Friday, but concerns about their continuity have arisen even before the 13th edition starts. Originating in 1965 in Congo-Brazzaville, the African Games have evolved into a prestigious multi-sport event featuring 16 disciplines, providing a vital early platform for African athletes to showcase their talents internationally.

Since 2019, the Games have also served as an Olympic qualification event. However, a dispute between the organizers jeopardizes this qualification opportunity. The conflict revolves around the two bodies responsible for organizing the Games: the African Union (AU) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca). Anoca, representing the continent’s 54 national Olympic committees, is dissatisfied with the demand for nations to pay a $2 million fee to host the Games, arguing that such a fee should not be mandatory.

Anoca has also criticized Ghana’s preparations for hosting the Games in 2023. The event was postponed due to a disagreement over marketing rights, causing delays in completing the necessary facilities. This delay has hindered some sports from utilizing the Games as a qualification opportunity for the Paris Olympics. Only eight sports will now use the Accra Games for Olympic qualification: athletics, badminton, cycling, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, and wrestling.

In response to the dispute, Anoca has established a new entity called the Anoca African Games. Its goal is to showcase all Olympic sports and provide a pathway to qualification in each discipline.

The future of the African Games, scheduled for Egypt in 2027, remains uncertain. Anoca desires full control over the management of the Games, and ongoing discussions among Anoca, the African Union, and all concerned parties aim to find a favorable agreement.

Financial viability has also become a concern for the Games. Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports revealed that hosting the Games would cost $242 million, a significant increase compared to the previous Games held in Rabat, Morocco, which cost $46 million. The rising costs could dissuade future host nations, similar to the situation faced by Commonwealth Games organizers, who saw the withdrawal of the planned 2026 Games in Victoria due to escalating costs.

Despite the challenges, many individuals recognize the value of the African Games for African sports and are determined to ensure its continuation. Athletes like Marie-Josée Ta Lou and Chad le Clos attribute their early successes to the Games and emphasize the importance of providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents.

While uncertainties persist, there are hopes that a compromise can be reached to strengthen the ties between the African Games and the Olympics, akin to other continental games such as the Asian Games, European Games, and Pan American Games. The future of the African Games remains uncertain, but the desire to preserve its legacy and contribute to the development of African sport endures.