All African Games: A melting point for African talent and unity
The 12th edition of Africa’s biggest athletic and sports competition, the All Africa Games begins officially begins this year on 19th to 31st August.
The All Africa Games (AAG) also referred to as the African Olympics is a regional multi-sports event held every four years just before the Olympic Games.
The games are organised for African nations who must be affiliated to the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA).
AGG is internationally recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the competition helps prepare African athletes for the Olympic Games.
AAG: The first venture
The first games were organised in 1965 in Congo Brazzaville and the concept of the competition has since evolved and been promoted.
The Africa Games, have a huge significance for the African continent not just as a platform for showcasing African sporting talents but also in portraying African unity.
During the first edition of the All Africa Games in Brazzaville in 1965, 30 African nations participated whereas 53 African nations participated in the latest games held in 2011.
A total of 5000+ athletes contested for 249 gold medals in 2011.
20 individual and team sports were played in the 10th AAG.
Out of a total of 249 gold medals, South Africa led the medals chart with 61 gold medals.
All-Africa games began as a measure to promote unity and solidarity among African nations and now have developed into cultural celebrations whose influence is being felt throughout Africa.
The 11th edition of the games took place in the Republic of Congo in September 2015.
Former hosts cities of the AAG
2015 11th All-Africa Games, Brazzaville (COD)
2011 10th All-Africa Games, Maputo (Mozambique)
2007 9th All-Africa Games, Algiers (Algeria) –
2003 8th All-Africa Games, Abuja (Nigeria)
1999 7th All-Africa Games, Johannesburg (South Africa)
1995 6th All-Africa Games, Harare (Zimbabwe)
1991 5th All-Africa Games, Cairo (Egypt)
1987 4th All-Africa Games, Nairobi (Kenya)
1978 3rd All-Africa Games, Algiers (Algeria)
1973 2nd All-Africa Games, Lagos (Nigeria)
1969 Bamako (Mali)
1965 1st All-Africa Games, Brazzaville (Congo-Brazzaville)
Bruno Ndonwie Funwie