Nigeria Sends 86 Young Athletes To 4th Africa Youth Games in Angola

Nigeria Sends 86 Young Athletes To 4th Africa Youth Games in Angola

By Niyi Busari 

The first group of Team Nigeria’s contingent to the 4th Africa Youth Games (AYG) in Luanda departed the country on Monday, December 8, 2025, signaling the final phase of preparations for the continent’s flagship youth multi-sport competition.

Nigeria will field 86 athletes across 12 sporting disciplines, including athletics, badminton, boxing, beach volleyball, cycling, judo, golf, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and weightlifting.

This year’s edition of the Africa Youth Games scheduled for December 10–20, 2025, marks a significant milestone, as Angola becomes the first Portuguese-speaking nation to host the event. Competitions will take place across six cities, among them Luanda, Benguela and Bengo, and will feature young athletes aged 14 to 17 from up to 54 African countries.

According to the National Sports Commission, the Africa Youth Games are designed to serve as a key developmental platform by promoting youth engagement in sports, identifying emerging talent, and preparing young athletes for major global events. The AYG also acts as a qualifying pathway to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. In addition, the Games aim to foster unity, cultural exchange and continental integration.

Both the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s readiness, noting that the athletes are poised to deliver strong performances in Angola.