By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria’s preparations to host the 2nd African School Games in Abuja in 2027 received a major boost following renewed support from the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
The development followed Nigeria’s presentation at the Extraordinary Session of the ANOCA General Assembly held at the Hilton Hotel, Nagoya, Japan, where the country provided an update on its preparations for the Games.
The presentation was delivered by the Chairman of the Abuja 2027 Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Lekan Abari, following an introduction by the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel.
The session brought together ANOCA leadership, representatives of African National Olympic Committees and other stakeholders in the Olympic Movement, including the leadership of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC).
Abari’s presentation covered the formal hosting and signing ceremony, ANOCA’s initial inspection of facilities, progress made since the inspection, the readiness of the LOC, venue rehabilitation and completion plans, approved sporting disciplines and dates, funding and resource mobilisation, as well as other organizational preparations.
He said the Abuja 2027 project was being implemented in line with the mandate given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure the hosting rights and ensure the successful delivery of the Games.
Abari also acknowledged the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), under its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for their support towards the preparations.
According to him, although significant work remains to be completed, preparations are progressing, with the LOC committed to meeting ANOCA’s requirements within agreed timelines.
The presentation was followed by questions from delegates on the security and safety of participants, the proposed first Chef de Mission Meeting scheduled for January 12–20, 2027, the functionality of the LOC Secretariat and the availability of technical manuals.
Responding to the concerns, Abari assured delegates that work was ongoing across all areas and that the LOC would continue to engage ANOCA closely to address outstanding requirements.
He added that an official request for the technical manuals had already been forwarded to the LOC.
The presentation was reportedly well received by the General Assembly, with several delegates commending the Nigerian delegation for the depth of its briefing and the progress recorded towards hosting the Games.
A major outcome of the session was ANOCA’s reaffirmation of its commitment to Abuja 2027, including an assurance to release financial support for ongoing preparations in line with earlier commitments.
The LOC is expected to engage ANOCA on the modalities for the release of the funds.
The Abuja 2027 update was one of four major Games presentations at the session, alongside updates on the African Beach Games Ribaba 2027 in Equatorial Guinea, African Youth Games Addis Ababa 2027 in Ethiopia, and African Games Cairo 2027 in Egypt.
The Assembly also featured addresses and engagements involving the presidents of ANOCA, CANOC, ONOC and the Olympic Council of Asia.
The ANOCA session further featured the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between ANOCA and CANOC, and between ANOCA and Shanghai Yude Energy Co. Ltd., which pledged to provide power solutions for ANOCA events and announced plans to provide a generator to each ANOCA member country.
The Nigerian delegation’s engagement in Nagoya is expected to strengthen collaboration with ANOCA as preparations intensify for the hosting of the African School Games in Abuja in 2027.;
