The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has officially announced Algeria as the host nation for the 4th edition of the combined U-18 and U-20 African Athletics Championships in 2027.
CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum made the announcement on Thursday in Abeokuta, Nigeria, while also providing key updates on upcoming continental athletics events.
“We will have the senior championship in Accra, Ghana in 2026,” Malboum stated. “And then, the U-18 and U-20 championships will return to Algeria in 2027. Botswana is expected to host the senior championship in 2028.”
Malboum further revealed that both Egypt and Ethiopia have shown interest in hosting future youth championships, though final decisions on those bids are yet to be made.
He also noted that the CAA is currently in search of a new host for the African Cross Country Championships, a competition that has lost prominence globally due to Africa’s continued dominance in long-distance running.
Reflecting on Algeria’s previous role, Malboum recalled that the country had initially been awarded the hosting rights for the 2023 U-18 and U-20 Championships.
However, the event had to be relocated after Algeria failed to show the level of enthusiasm and commitment required to host successfully.
“I was in Oran during the ANOCA General Assembly and held discussions with both the Algerian Federation President and the Minister of Sports, but I didn’t feel the level of interest needed to successfully host the event,” he explained.
Following Algeria’s withdrawal, Nigeria stepped in as an emergency host for the 2023 edition, taking on the challenge with only four months to prepare.
“Fortunately, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of Nigeria’s Sports Commission, was present during that meeting. As a brother, I approached him and asked if Nigeria could take up the challenge within four months—and they delivered,” Malboum said.
He stressed the importance of youth competitions like the U-18 and U-20 Championships in shaping Africa’s future athletic successes, stating that they play a key role in preparing the next generation of Olympic and World Championship athletes.
“These events prepare the future of high-performance athletics in Africa. They are vital to building the pride of the continent on the global stage,” Malboum concluded.