43 Nations, Nearly 1,000 Athletes Set to Storm Abeokuta for African U18/U20 Athletics Championships
All eyes are on Abeokuta as the countdown begins in earnest for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 20, 2025. With just two weeks to go, the Ogun State capital is bracing for a major continental sporting spectacle that will draw 937 athletes and officials from 43 countries across Africa.
Preparations are in full swing, as organizers fine-tune logistics to deliver a seamless and world-class event. Key components such as transportation, accommodation, feeding, competition services, and team liaison are reportedly being handled with precision to ensure a memorable championship experience for all participants.
Top African athletics nations Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Egypt—have all confirmed participation, alongside other strong contenders like Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, and Uganda. Host country Nigeria is fielding the largest delegation with 60 male and 50 female athletes, supported by 22 officials, totaling 132 participants. South Africa follows with a 100-member team, while Ethiopia, Kenya, and Algeria are sending 69, 67, and 65 participants respectively.
This highly anticipated championship comes just months after Abeokuta hosted the 22nd National Sports Festival (Gateway Games 2024), which attracted over 15,000 participants. The success of that event has further cemented the city’s reputation as a rising hub for major sporting events in Nigeria and across Africa.
Certified by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), the U18/U20 Championships aim to unearth the continent’s next generation of track and field stars, offering young athletes a platform to shine and build international careers. Speaking on the upcoming competition, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) emphasized the significance of hosting such a high-level youth event, noting it as part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to sports development and youth engagement.
The stage is set, the athletes are ready, and the city is prepared. Abeokuta is poised to once again make history.
