Launch of preparations for the maiden African School Games in Annaba in 2025
A virtual conference to launch preparations for the maiden African School Games billed for August 2025 in Annaba, Algeria, took place on 16 January 2025, effectively chaired by ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf. The meeting laid the groundwork for this first-ever sports event dedicated to African schoolchildren.
Speaking at the opening, Mustapha Berraf expressed his gratitude to the participants for their commitment, insisting that their collaboration represents a key stage in the success of this competition. “These Games reflect our shared ambition to promote school sports and offer young Africans a platform to flourish in a spirit of excellence and fraternity,” he said.
Forward-looking and inclusive organisation
Among the topics addressed, the technical and organisational specifics were at the heart of the discussions, in particular the number of sports disciplines, the planned infrastructure and the official dates of the competitions. Expected to bring together between 2,500 and 3,000 young athletes, this first edition will be held under the most distinguished Patronage of the Algerian Head of State, who is scheduled to visit the sports facilities in February 2025.
Speaking of the event, His Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the Republic of Algeria, declared: “Algeria is honoured to host such a prestigious event, which places African youth at the heart of our priorities and contributes to peace and sustainable development on the continent.”
ANOCA and ANOCA partners mobilised for the success of the Games
This initiative, the windfall of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between ANOCA and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) in July 2024 during the Paris Olympic Games, aims to identify and train future African sporting talents. With the support of the Algerian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Education and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), ANOCA is committed to providing financial assistance to the 54 African NOCs to facilitate their participation.
Long-term vision for school sport in Africa
These Games are part of a drive to support budding talents in the run-up to major competitions such as the African Youth Games (December 2025, Luanda, Angola) and the Youth Olympic Games (2026, Dakar, Senegal).
Mustapha Berraf underscores the importance of this event: ‘Sport is a powerful tool for identifying future champions, while inculcating essential values such as discipline, respect and teamwork.”
Legacy for the future of African sport
The African School Games will be more than just a sports competition. They will provide a platform for education, cultural exchange and the promotion of Olympic values. They will also help to consolidate ties among African nations and groom united, dynamic and hopeful youths.
ANOCA, alongside its partners, reasserts its commitment to making this maiden edition a success model, paving the way for a sustainable transformation of school sports in Africa.
This press release highlights the ambitions and preparations for the 2025 African School Games, while reflecting the collective commitment to youth and sport on the continent.
