Uganda has been officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2031 African Games, marking a significant milestone for the East African nation as it prepares to stage the continent’s premier multi-sport event.
According to kawowo.com, the decision sees Uganda triumph over competing bids, including that of Nigeria, to host the 15th edition of the Games.
The continental sporting showcase, African Games, is expected to bring together thousands of athletes across Africa, boosting sports development, tourism, and infrastructure investment in Uganda.
The confirmation came at the Extraordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS5), held virtually.
Uganda beat Nigeria after impressing in the evaluation process to host these games for the first time since their inception.
Uganda is privileged to have been given the hosting rights for the 2031 All African Games. We thank the Government of Uganda for trust and Ugandans’ backing. The preparations continue to have a successful championship.
Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel, General Secretary National Council of Sports (NCS)
This is a great development for the East African country, which will also co-host the 2027 African Cup of Nations with neighbours Kenya and Tanzania.
The hosting bid for Uganda was fronted by Sports Minister Peter Ogwang and NCS General Secretary Bernard Ogwel, centres around the infrastructure of Hoima City Stadium and Namboole Stadium.
The African Games, formally known as the All-Africa Games or the Pan-African Games, are a continental multi-sport event held every four years, organised by the African Union with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and the Association of African Sports Confederations.
The All-African Games were first held in 1965 in Brazzaville, Congo. In East Africa, Kenya hosted these games in 1987.
Some of the facilities to be used by Uganda include Mandela National Stadium, Hamz Stadium, Hoima City Stadium, Kyambogo University, Makerere University, Akii Bua Stadium (Lira), among others.
The All-African Games entail a wide section of outdoor and indoor sports disciplines.
These include athletics, football, handball, basketball, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, powerlifting, pickleball, wrestling, hockey, tennis, squash, netball, chess, badminton, rugby, cycling, and others.
