A four-member inspection team from the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) arrived in Nigeria this week to assess facilities for the upcoming 3rd CAA African U18/U20 Combined Championships, set for July 16-20, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. T
he team, which began arriving on Wednesday and was complete by Thursday, will evaluate the MKO Abiola Stadium, as well as designated hotels and medical facilities for athletes and officials.
Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President and CAA Vice President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, welcomed the delegation, noting they will also attend the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival before departing. Okowa clarified his absence from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the championship, citing his multifaceted roles. “As a CAA executive member and leader of Team Nigeria, my responsibilities are demanding and critical to the event’s success,” he said, adding that he personally nominated all AFN board members on the LOC.
The championship, expected to attract over 500 young athletes from across Africa, was originally scheduled for Oran, Algeria, but was relocated to Abeokuta due to unspecified reasons, with Nigeria stepping in as host. The event’s key dates include the CAA Council Meeting on July 13, CAA Congress on July 14-15, a Technical Meeting on July 15, and the championships from July 16-20.
Abeokuta’s selection follows a history of Nigeria hosting major athletics events, including the 2018 Senior Africa Athletics Championship in Asaba, where the then-AFN President, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, also opted out of the LOC to focus on managing Team Nigeria.
The biennial junior championship, previously awarded to Madagascar before being moved to Algeria, now promises to showcase Nigeria’s organizational prowess and its commitment to nurturing young athletic talent.