Facilities In Ogun For Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships Impress CAA Inspection Team

A four-member inspection team from the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has praised the facilities in Ogun State in preparation for the upcoming 3rd Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships, set to be held in Abeokuta this July. The team completed its tour of the facilities over the weekend.

Led by CAA Director General Lamine Faty from Senegal, the inspection team included CAA Technical and Development Director Aziz Daouda, alongside Lombard Melinda Amana and Maraire Munyaradzi Nkosasa Wilbert. The team arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday and conducted facility inspections on Friday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, where they reviewed the newly installed tartan track currently in use for the 22nd National Sports Festival.

On Saturday, the team examined 12 hotels for accommodation options for approximately 800 attendees. The hotels inspected included Green Legacy Resorts, Academy Suites, AA Entertainment and Tourism, Metro Hotel, Keem Hotel, Richton Hotel, Continental Hotel, Abiis Hotel, IBD International, and H3 Hotel. Operating from the Conference Hotel, the team later addressed journalists. Director General Lamine Faty expressed his appreciation for the facilities and hospitality.

“I must express my sincere gratitude to our Nigerian hosts. They have demonstrated that they will be exceptional hosts. We enjoyed a comfortable stay and were provided with excellent conditions to complete our work. I can see that Abeokuta is ready to welcome the continent this July,” Faty stated.

With the exception of one hotel that raised concerns regarding water supply, all other inspected accommodations met CAA standards for hosting athletes, officials, journalists, and distinguished guests from 54 countries during the championships, which are scheduled from July 16 to 20, 2025.

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The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, and the Secretary General of the Federation, Israel Inwang, were also present during the inspection tour on Saturday.

Shagaya Abdulmumeen, Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), spoke on behalf of Chairman Hon. Bukola Olopade, assuring attendees that Nigeria, particularly Ogun State, would strive to host a championship that the entire African continent could take pride in.

“We are dedicated to giving the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships the utmost attention it deserves,” he remarked. “As you can see, Nigeria, and specifically the government and people of Ogun State, are ready. The LOC is thrilled to welcome this inspection team to Abeokuta, and we are pleased that everything is progressing smoothly.”