From 10 to 20 December 2025, Angola proudly hosted the 4th African Youth Games, a major continental event that brought together more than 3,000 participants representing all 54 African nations. Beyond being an achievement in sport, these Games provided a unique strategic platform for education and the transmission of the legacy of African sport, embodied in particular by the remarkable commitment of the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission.
Athlete Engagement Booth to promote Olympic values
As part of its educational mission, the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission set up an athlete engagement booth, which became a popular gathering spot for young participants. Conceived in close collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the initiative offered the opportunity to engage directly with athletes from across the continent in a meaningful and practical way.
The booth was also much more than just an information stand. From handing out caps, armbands, cups and other goodies, Commission members created a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, encouraging spontaneous and open conversations with young athletes.
This approach was both fun and educational, and helped address crucial issues in a relaxed setting, conducive to dialogue.
Key focus for athletes’ future
The educational programme rolled out by the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission was built on three fundamental pillars: anti-doping and clean sport; integrity and competition manipulation; and athlete career transition and life after sport.
Anti-doping and clean sport
In partnership with WADA, young athletes gained in-depth knowledge of the dangers of doping and the importance of clean sport. Discussions focused on athletes’ rights and responsibilities in relation to anti-doping, testing procedures, and risks to health and integrity in sport. This ANOCA/WADA collaboration attests to the shared commitment of international bodies to protecting African youths and fostering ethical behaviour in sport.
Integrity and competition manipulation
Commission members also addressed the critical issue of match-fixing in sport, raising awareness among young athletes of the risks of illegal betting and corruption in sport. Through participatory dialogue, participants learned to recognise and resist external pressures that could compromise the integrity of their performances and careers.
Athlete career transition and life after sport
Aware that a career in elite sport is limited in time, the Athletes’ Commission included sessions on career transition preparation in its programme, enabling young talents understand the need to enrol in parallel academic training, develop transferable skills and plan for their professional future beyond the field of play.
Tangible impact, encouraging outcomes
The Commission’s initiative was widely welcomed by all stakeholders. Feedback from participants revealed a significantly improved understanding of the fundamental principles of the Olympic Movement, including integrity, ethics and fair play. Young athletes also expressed their gratitude for the enriching discussions, which enabled them to understand their role and responsibilities as ambassadors for African sport.
Commission members present on the ground highlighted the quality of interactions and the open-mindedness of young participants.
‘‘These moments of engaging directly with the new generation of African athletes remind us why our mission is so relevant. We are not only passing on knowledge. We are helping train athletes who are informed, responsible and ready to fly the colours of Africa on the international stage,’’ said the ANOCA President, the Honourable Mustapha BERRAF.
ANOCA EXCO’s unflinching support
This initiative owes much of its success to the continued support of the ANOCA EXCO. Under the extraordinary leadership of President Mustapha BERRAF, the Association has given the Athletes’ Commission the space and resources it needs to roll out this ambitious programme. This trust demonstrates ANOCA’s commitment to making athletes its priority and recognising their voice as an essential component of sports governance in Africa.
‘‘We are especially grateful to the ANOCA EXCO and President Mustapha BERRAF, for their trust, space and continued support in making this important athlete engagement possible,’’ Commission members stated. This meaningful collaboration between governing bodies and athlete representatives perfectly illustrates the model of participatory governance that ANOCA strives to promote across the continent.
A lasting legacy for African sport
Beyond the competition and ceremonial aspects of the Games, Angola 2025 was a strategic platform for teaching and instilling Olympic values. Implemented by the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission, this innovative programme has made tangible contributions to training athletes, raising their awareness of their responsibilities and consolidating a lasting educational and ethical legacy, in line with ANOCA’s mission and objectives for sport development in Africa.
Our achievements in Luanda are proof that investing in young athlete education is a powerful tool for the development of African sport. By training champions not only in sport, but also as responsible citizens and ambassadors of Olympic values, ANOCA is laying the foundations for a more robust, ethical and sustainable sports ecosystem.
Building on the success of this edition in Angola, several recommendations were made to maximise the impact of these initiatives at future ANOCA events:
- Institutionalising and strengthening this type of learning initiative in all future ANOCA Games: the African Youth Games, the African Beach Games and the African School Games;
- Expanding the scope of the programme by including coaches, technical teams and sports leaders to create a coherent ecosystem where all stakeholders share the same educational values and objectives;
- Preparing appropriate multilingual learning materials (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) for a deeper understanding of content and continental reach;
- Ensuring post-event follow-up with participating athletes, particularly through digital platforms and mentoring programmes to sustain engagement and educational gains;
- Strengthening partnerships with specialised international organisations (WADA, IOC, UNESCO) to leverage their expertise and resources in developing ever more effective educational programmes.
Strong athlete voice, real impact
The Fourth African Youth Games in Angola demonstrated that when athletes are at the heart of the sports system, when their voices are heard, and their needs are taken into account, the impact goes far beyond sports outcomes. The ANOCA Athletes’ Commission has proven that strong collaboration between governing bodies and athlete representatives can bring about meaningful and lasting change.
Through engagement and awareness raising, young athletes left Luanda not only with medals and memories of the competition, but above all, with knowledge, values and enhanced awareness of their role in the development of African sport. It is therefore this intangible legacy, bequeathed from generation to generation, that will be the true success of the Games.
As President Mustapha BERRAF recalled in his opening address at the Games:
‘‘The future of Africa is being built today.’’ Chaired by Mrs Gaby AHRENS, the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission, through its exemplary commitment in Luanda, is actively contributing to building an African sports future that is based on excellence, integrity and ethics.
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✓ Informed young athletes
✓ Three major themes: anti-doping, integrity in sport, career transition
✓ Meaningful collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
✓ A lasting learning and ethical legacy for African sport
ANOCA Athletes’ Commission
‘‘Strong collaboration. Strong athlete voice. Real impact.’’
