African Union Pushes Sports Development Agenda At Abuja Summit

African Union Pushes Sports Development Agenda At Abuja Summit

By Niyi Busari 

Sports administrators from across West Africa have gathered in Abuja for a high-level workshop aimed at advancing sustainable sports development on the continent, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The event, organized by the African Union Sports Council Region 2 in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, focuses on the popularization and implementation of the African Union’s policy framework for sports development.

Held at BON Hotels, the workshop brings together directors of sports and key stakeholders from across the West African sub-region to explore strategies for aligning national policies with continental objectives.

Speaking at the event, Angel Martins, Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sports at the African Union, underscored the importance of financial compliance among member states. She noted that regular engagement is ongoing to ensure countries meet their obligations and remain in good standing with the Union, thereby avoiding sanctions.

Martins also highlighted the AU’s commitment to talent development through structured participation in continental competitions such as the African Games. According to her, these platforms are essential for nurturing athletes and preparing them for global events.

A key focus of the workshop is the preservation and promotion of Africa’s traditional sports. Martins emphasized the need to integrate indigenous games into school curricula across member states, describing them as an important component of the continent’s cultural heritage and a potential export to the global sporting community.

The workshop forms part of broader efforts by the AU to strengthen cooperation among member states while fostering a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem. It also seeks to encourage policy adoption that supports grassroots development, talent identification, and international competitiveness.

The programme is being hosted under the leadership of Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission; Bukola Olopade; and Shamshu Mustapha.