In a burst of joy, emotion and continental pride, the curtains were officially drawn on the maiden African School Games on 5 August 2025 at the Olympic Complex in Algiers, marking the end of a historic sports event that will forever remain etched in the annals of African sport.

Thrilling Closing Ceremony

Under a starlit sky in Annaba, more than 45,000 spectators lived a moment of intense emotion during the closing ceremony, transforming the stadium into an ocean of pan-African colours. The tears of joy of young athletes, the warm fraternal embraces of competitors from various nations and the spontaneous singing resounding across the stands made an exceptional show of what African unity through sport represents.

“We have just witnessed the birth of a new tradition that will transcend generations,” declared the ANOCA President, Mustapha BERRAF, elated and visibly overwhelmed by the outstanding success of the very first edition of the Games. “These young champions have shown the whole world that Africa is home to the champions of tomorrow,” he quickly added.

Figures that Tell the Story of a Resounding Success

Our continental participation was unanimously acclaimed as breaking all records:

• 51 African nations represented, a record for a first edition;
• More than 3,500 young athletes aged 13 to 18;
• 24 sports on the programme;
• 450 events over 8 days of competition;
• More than 2,000 officials, coaches and escorts.

Mind-blowing Sports Performances

The eight days of competition revealed extraordinary talent that promises a bright future for African sports. Records were set in virtually every discipline, attesting to the exceptional level of these young prodigies, especially the historic performance of the Nigerian men’s 4x100m relay team, made up of only secondary school students, who clocked a time that already places them among the continent’s best senior teams.

Algeria, Exemplary Host of Collective Success

The highlight of the closing ceremony was the award of a gold medal to the President of the Republic, H.E. Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, by ANOCA, on behalf of the African Olympic Movement. The award was in recognition of “his support to the success of this maiden edition and his decision to relaunch school sports to groom emerging budding talents.”

The warm welcome Algeria accorded participants lived up to all expectations. The local organising committee deployed considerable resources to create a Games setting worthy of their ambitions. From the Athletes’ Village to competition venues, to the outstanding cultural welcome, Algeria set the standard of excellence for future editions. The legendary hospitality of the Algerian people transformed these Games into a real African youth festival.

The award was received by the Minister of Sports, Mr Walid SADI, the Minister of National Education, Mr Mohamed SEGHIR SADAOUI, and the Minister of Youth, in charge of the Higher Youth Council, Mr Mustapha HIDAOUI.

On this occasion, ANOCA officials expressed their deep gratitude and thanks to the President of the Republic for giving priority to supporting young African sports talents, stressing that this edition “has helped Algeria build a solid base for their ongoing training and support, so that they can become rising stars who will be the pride of Africa.”

Lasting Infrastructural Heritage and Embodiment of Olympic Values

Beyond sports performances, these inaugural Games were a powerful illustration of the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. Athletes demonstrated a wide range of fair play gestures, such as the now viral image of two young sprinters, one helping fellow injured competitor cross the finishing line, perfectly embodying the spirit of African fraternity.

Fabric of continental unity

The Games provided a unique platform for Africa’s 51 nations to celebrate their cultural diversity through the cultural nights organised in the Athletes’ Village, enabling extraordinarily rich intercultural exchanges and creating bonds of friendship that transcend borders.

Symbolic handover to Nigeria

The most symbolic moment of the closing ceremony was when the Games flame was officially passed on to Abuja, capital city of Nigeria, the host country of the second edition in 2027. This handover between the two nations marked the continuity of this new continental tradition. “We receive this flame with a solemn commitment to perpetuate the excellence of these maiden Games,” solemnly pledged the Nigerian Sports Minister, who was also present for the occasion.

Lasting Social Legacy

The Games also had a significant social impact. More than 100,000 young Algerians attended the events, discovering sometimes little-known sports disciplines and drawing inspiration from the performances of their continental counterparts.

Moving Testimonies

Young athletes were almost unanimously satisfied:

“These eight days have changed my life. I discovered that my Olympic dreams were within my reach.”;

“The emotion was such that I cried when I heard our national anthem echoing in this magnificent stadium. This is the happiest day of my young career.”;

“We are leaving after making friends from 51 other countries. These Games have created an African school sports family.”

Abuja 2027 and a Promising Future

Following the overwhelming success of this maiden edition, ANOCA officially confirmed that the African School Games will be organised every two years. Nigeria therefore inherits an event now established as an essential fixture on the African sports programme.

Developing Continental School Sports

The maiden Games marked the beginning of continental efforts to promote school sports. Several national federations have already announced that they will be stepping up budding talent identification and training programmes.

Legacy for Future Generations

At the end of these School Games, Africa can be proud of having created an event that lives up to its sports ambitions. These eight magical days in Algiers will forever be remembered as the moment when the continent asserted its determination to train the Olympic champions of tomorrow.

ANOCA President BERRAF proudly celebrated this feat, declaring, “We have just planted the seeds that will bear African Olympic fruits for many decades to come.”

Although it petered out in Algiers, the flame continues to shine in the heart of every young participant, carrying with it the promise of a flourishing and united African sports.

We look forward to Abuja 2027, where the journey will continue with the same passion, the same emotion and the same continental pride.

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About the African School Games:

Created in 2024, the African School Games shall be organised every two years under the aegis of ANOCA. They bring together top budding African athletes aged 13 to 17 in a spirit of fraternity, sports excellence and the development of continental school sports.