The Third African Youth Games at more important events – ATRadio

(ATR) The third African Youth Games are underway in Algiers, Algeria, with some traditional hiccups and an eye to boost African events in the future.

] The Games feature 2,500 athletes participating in 30 sports from July 19 to 28. They are the biggest youth games on the continent and follow the first two editions in Rabat in Morocco and Gaborone in Botswana.

According to sports consultant Diamil Faye, who works with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa for the organization of the Games, the event is finally in full swing. Faye told Around the Rings that four days after the start of the event, things start to be felt in the multi-sport Games after the transport problems and other minor hiccups dominated at the start.

Algiers could continue to participate in the 2019 African Games, once a host will be found. The idea is that these athletes have the opportunity to compete at the continental level below the senior level, as a stepping stone to bigger and better events in sports largely ignored by governments.

"In African countries, it is very difficult to build sports infrastructure outside of football," said Faye. "One of the primary goals of ANOCA will be to bring countries that do not have the opportunity to host big events."

Lesotho will host the fourth edition of the Youth Games in 2022. For the first time known before the previous edition began. Even without an observer program, Lesotho officials were in Algiers to learn, says Faye.

Africa will also be awarded the 2022 Youth Olympic Games. Botswana, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia offer to host the first Olympic Games of all kinds on the African continent.

Listen to the complete conversation with Faye below:

Written by Aaron Bauer

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