ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA – Final preparations are in full swing. Abeokuta will host the 3rd edition of the Confederation of African Athletics U18/U20 African Athletics Championship.

This event is scheduled to run from July 16 to 20, 2025, at the MKO Abiola Arena

With just one day to go before the opening events, the Algerian and Moroccan contingents arrived on Monday night. This brought the total number of participating countries to 35. This confirms a strong continental turnout for the youth athletics showcase.

Track and field powerhouses such as Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, and Egypt are already on ground. This sets the stage for a thrilling contest of emerging talents across various disciplines.

Nigeria, playing host, has rolled out comprehensive logistical plans. These plans ensure a smooth experience for athletes, officials, and fans. Security, transportation, accommodation, and protocol arrangements are fully activated. Officials are working round the clock to deliver a world-class event.

The city of Abeokuta is already alive with colour and culture. Traditional dancers and cultural troupes have been entertaining visitors with vibrant displays of Nigeria’s rich heritage. Members of the visiting delegations, including North African athletes, have enthusiastically joined in the festivities, adding to the celebratory mood.

Meanwhile, the administrative side of the championship is also underway. The CAA held its congress at the Confluence Hotel, Abeokuta, where member federations and athletics officials gathered to deliberate on the future of African athletics.

Presided over by CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the congress focused on crucial reforms, sustainability measures, and strategic plans aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of African athletes. The session reaffirmed the championship’s dual role as a platform for both elite competition and long-term development of the sport on the continent.

With the countdown nearing zero, all eyes are now on Abeokuta as Africa’s next generation of track and field stars prepare to take centre stage.

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Excitement is reaching fever pitch in the city of Abeokuta. The countdown to the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships is in its final stretch.

There are just two days to go before the opening events.

Delegations from across the continent have begun arriving in Nigeria. Teams from South Sudan, Seychelles, and Congo are among the latest to touch down.

Their arrival is ahead of the eagerly anticipated youth athletics showcase. Their arrival is adding to the electric atmosphere already building in the Ogun State capital.

The event is set to take place at the MKO Abiola Arena from July 16 to 20. The championships will bring together Africa’s most promising young athletes. It promises to be a thrilling week of top-tier competition.

African athletics powerhouses such as Egypt, Botswana, and South Africa have also arrived in Abeokuta. They are finalising their preparations with high expectations. These nations are fielding some of the continent’s brightest prospects. They are tipped to deliver standout performances on both track and field.

With over 43 countries and nearly 1,000 athletes and officials expected, the event marks a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics. It reinforces the country’s growing reputation as a hub for major sporting events.

The official start is set for July 16, with preliminary heats, opening ceremonies, and cultural festivities expected to captivate fans, athletes, and dignitaries alike.

The 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships not only highlight Africa’s depth of youth talent but also serve as a platform for future global stars to shine.

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With just four days to go, excitement is building for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships as the first batch of international athletes touched down in Nigeria on Saturday morning.

Athletes from the Democratic Republic of Congo were the early birds, arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to officially kick-start arrivals for the much-anticipated continental event scheduled for Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Congolese delegation was warmly received by the Local Organising Committee’s (LOC) protocol team, led by Arabirin Aderonke, Head of Protocol.

The team ensured a smooth and hospitable welcome, reflecting Nigeria’s renowned spirit of warmth and organisation.

“We are excited to receive the first set of athletes arriving for the championship,” said Arabirin Aderonke.

“This marks the beginning of what promises to be a historic and memorable competition.

“Our protocol teams are fully mobilised at the airports to ensure a smooth experience for all arriving delegations, as the National Sports Commission had demanded excellence from every subcommittee in the LOC.”

The DR Congo athletes, visibly delighted by the reception, were swiftly processed and escorted to their base ahead of the tournament, which will run from July 16 to 20, 2025, at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta.

The African U18/U20 Athletics Championships will bring together over 40 African nations, showcasing the continent’s rising stars in track and field events. With preparations entering the final stretch, the arrival of the first team signals the start of what is expected to be a celebration of youth, talent, and continental unity.

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