The historic city of Abeokuta is set to host the 3rd edition of the African U18/U20 Athletics Championship from 16th to 20th July at the MKO Abiola International Stadium. Over the course of five thrilling days, the event will feature some of the brightest young athletic talents from across the continent, offering a packed programme of track and field events. Below is a day-by-day overview of the key competitions that fans and stakeholders can look forward to.
On Day 1, the competition will commence in the afternoon with U18 athletes taking to the track and field. Events on the agenda include the U18 100m heats, the final of the 1500m, and finals for the high jump and triple jump. Spectators can also look forward to exciting contests in the 400m, 3000m, and 10,000m across various age categories, setting the stage for an exhilarating championship.
Day 2 promises to be filled with energy and intensity. The morning session will feature the heats for the 110m hurdles and long jump qualifications, alongside finals for the 400m for both U18 and U20 athletes. Additionally, the 100m semi-finals for all age groups will take place. The afternoon will shift focus to the finals of the 100m (U18 and U20), the 1500m final for U20 men and women, and semi-finals for the 400m, while the women’s discus final will also be contested alongside a range of other track and field events.
The action continues on Thursday, Day 3, with morning competitions showcasing the 400m finals for U18 boys and girls, as well as pole vault and hammer throw events for both the U18 and U20 divisions. The afternoon session promises even more excitement, featuring the U18 100m hurdles final, the javelin throw, the U20 high jump final, and the U20 men’s 400m final.
Heats for the 4x100m men’s relay and additional sprint and field events will also take place in the U20 category.
The penultimate Day 4 opens with morning heats for the 200m and 800m for both U18 and U20 boys and girls. The afternoon will feature the semi-finals of the 200m events across categories, with one of the highlights being the 5000m final. Relay enthusiasts can look forward to the eagerly awaited 4x100m finals for U20 men and women, alongside a variety of technical events that highlight the depth of the championship.
The grand finale on Day 5 will commence with field events, including the discus and javelin throws for both U18 and U20 divisions, and the long jump for U18 and U20 women. The afternoon session, which concludes the championship, will feature the 200m finals for men and women across both age categories, the U20 men’s long jump final, the 800m finals for both genders, and the 4x400m relay finals. The event will culminate in closing ceremonies and medal presentations, marking the end of what promises to be a memorable week of African youth athletics.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s contingent were the first international athletes to arrive for the continental showpiece. The athletes received a warm welcome, complete with Nigerian hospitality as they were seamlessly ushered through arrival procedures on Saturday.
“We are thrilled to receive the first set of athletes for the championship,” remarked Arabirin Aderonke. “This marks the beginning of what promises to be a historic and memorable competition. Our protocol teams are fully mobilised at the airports to ensure a smooth experience for all arriving delegations, as the National Sports Commission has demanded excellence from every subcommittee in the Local Organising Committee.”
The African U18/U20 Athletics Championships will showcase elite young athletes from over 40 African countries competing for continental glory. All activities will take place at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, from 16th to 20th July 2025.
The 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championship is proudly hosted in Nigeria and organised by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, the Ogun State Government, and prominent sponsors, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BOI), and LEDCO Limited.
