The third edition of the CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, July 20, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with a vibrant showcase of African culture, music, and unity through sport.
The closing ceremony featured electrifying performances by top Nigerian artistes KCee and 9ice, whose Afrobeat sets had the packed stadium on its feet, marking a festive end to a championship that lived up to expectations.
On the final day of competition, Team Nigeria gave a spirited performance in a bid to top the medal table, buoyed by the passionate support of home fans.
However, it was South Africa that ultimately emerged overall champions, finishing with the highest medal count.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the event, calling it “a masterpiece that showcased Africa’s finest talents and the power of sports to unite.”
“This championship was more than a sporting event; it was a celebration of Africa’s youth, energy, and future,” Dikko said, while acknowledging the contributions of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ogun State Government, and the Local Organising Committee, led by Hon. Bukola Olopade.
Hon. Olopade, who also serves as the Director General of the NSC, described the event as a new benchmark for youth athletics championships in Africa.
“We’ve proven our capacity to host world-class sporting events. The energy, the culture, the unity — this is what Africa stands for,” he stated, while thanking Mallam Dikko and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for their support.
Team Nigeria capped off the competition with a gold medal in the women’s U20 4x400m relay. The quartet of Odot Udoh, Toheebat Jimoh, Anita Enaruna, and Favour Onyah delivered a strong finish, holding off challenges from South Africa and Zimbabwe.
With participation from over 35 countries and thousands of spectators in attendance, the Abeokuta 2025 Championships have been widely hailed as a resounding success.
The event not only showcased elite youth athletic talent but also highlighted the richness of African culture and the continent’s growing capacity to host major international competitions.