Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pledged his support for the upcoming 3rd Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18/U20 African Athletics Championship holding from July 16 to July 20 in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Obasanjo gave the commitment when the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the CAA President, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library on Tuesday.
The ex-Nigerian President assured the CAA leadership that Ogun State would cooperate and collaborate with them to ensure the championship’s success.
“We have facilities, and we have history. Any friend of Africa is most welcome in our state. We will cooperate, collaborate, and partner with CAA. We will be the best host we can be,” Obasanjo said.
He also accepted Malboum’s request to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Africa Sports and Culture Development Foundation, a new initiative aimed at promoting African athletics and preserving the continent’s sporting and cultural identity.
“I am open to any policy that will aid sports and cultural development—endeavours with a high level of positivity and productivity,” Obasanjo said.
Malboum used the occasion to advocate for deeper structural reforms in African athletics, lamenting instances where the CAA had to solicit aid from World Athletics due to administrative shortcomings.
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