The president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, has expressed his delight at the quality of proposals by cities and countries bidding to host the African Athletics Junior and Senior Championships in 2025 and 2026.
Coe stated this during a press briefing with his host, the president of Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Colonel Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, after the CAA Council meeting at the Krystal Palace Hotel in Douala, Cameroon on Thursday 20 June.
He said that he was equally pleased that the work that they are doing at the World Athletics headquarters in innovation and raising the profile of the athletes was so strongly endorsed around the Council table.
“I was particularly pleased also to witness some really strong bids from African cities and countries that want to stage our championships it has always been a
very clear ambition of mine to make sure where possible that we build both human
and infrastructural capacity for our sport in Africa,” said Coe.
“The contribution made by Africa in World track and field is enormous I know that from my own competitive career period I can think of few continents that have contributed more in the last 30 or 40 years. And the development of African Athletics both male and female, and not any longer just in endurance events, is also very encouraging and comforting for the growth and development of our sport.
“As well of course we are here primarily because we are creating opportunities for young athletes to fashion their future in our sport to create opportunities that I hope will maintain a bond with our sport long after they have left as competitors.”
Seb Coe also expressed his satisfaction at the Council’s acceptance of some resolution and some actions that he thinks are very good judgments on behalf of making the sport safe and accessible.
“I was delighted that the Council agreed with the proposal for the policy around safeguarding. Of all the challenges our sport faces, alongside the investment and the sustainability of the sport of course is the safety and the safety of the athletes, and of course the coaches too.
“But, the people who are giving their time – often freely given in voluntary capacities – need to know that we have the systems in place to make sure that, that their experience is a fun experience.
“We must ensure that it’s an experience in a safe space and that those parents who give their children to us, sometimes at a very early age with paternal and maternal care, have the clear understanding that we take that very seriously. So I was very pleased to see that,” he added.
The 23rd CAA African Athletics Senior Championships begin this Friday, June 21 at the Japoma stadium sports complex in Douala, Cameroon. More than 49 countries, including 800 athletes, travelled to Douala, Cameroon to take part in this continental competition.
