N° 003, Friday 30 may 2014

3rd : Appointment taken for in 2018

onths after the signing of the hosting agreement for the 3rd edition of African Youth Games (AYGs) in Algiers, it is now quite certain that the capital city of will host the event in 2018. All doubts Mwere cleared on 29 May 2014, during an official dinner offered at the Sun Hotel by Algeria’s Minister of Sports, Pr Mohammed TAHMI, and the President of NOC Algeria, Mustapha Berraf. The least one can say is that Algeria has fully expressed its willingness to host Africa. Judging from what their delegates demonstrated in Gaborone, and the commitments the country has taken in the presence of the President of ANOCA, Intendant General Lassana Palenfo, and other high profile guests who were also present at the signing ceremony in Algiers, there is no more room for any doubts. The country of the desert foxes is thus poised to take the relay baton from . Algeria is highly experienced in hosting major continental sports events, like in 1978 and 2007, when the country hosted the All Africa Games then managed by the Supreme Council for (SCSA). 29 May 2014 will remain a landmark in ANOCA-Algeria relations with the signing of the contract that official grants hosting rights to Algeria. The well organised dinner was an occasion for Algeria to further demonstrate its will and capacity to host the event. The guests relished and appreciated Algerian cuisine and, more especially, the musical performance by the Algerian star, Shakira, who sent all the guests scrambling for their dancing shoes. Algeria is thus already in the 2018 AYGs starting blocks. Two major addresses were delivered on this occasion, the first by the President of ANOCA, and the other by the President of NOC Algeria, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Sports, Pr Mohammed TAHMI, who was unavoidably absent.

Address delivered by the ANOCA President, Intendant General Lassana Palenfo - Distinguished guests, - Fellow Colleagues, - Dear members of the sporting and Olympic Movement

We are gathered here today to celebrate a major event that contributes to the furtherance of sport and the fulfilment of Afri- can youths. As such, we are quite pleased to sign the protocol agreement, which officially entrusts the hosting of the 3rd Afri- can Youth Games to Algeria. I wish to avail myself of this oppor- tunity to extend our hearty thanks and acknowledgements to the Algeria Olympic and Sports Committee, which did not hesi- tate to express its interest to host the youth games. This testifies to the fact that Algerian authorities have reserved a choice place for sport. Besides, it is a strong signal that Algeria is fully committed to building a united and integrated Africa. I am pleased with this achievement and have the enduring conviction that Algeria will live up to our expecta- tions and honour the commitments taken. The 2007 All Africa Games were a resounding success, a remarkable example of the dynamic spirit of a country that was fully mobilised for a continental event. Permit me use the opportunity of this rostrum to urge the African sporting family here present to begin iden- tifying budding talents ahead of the next African Youth Games and the upcoming Youth in , both billed for 2018. I wish and believe that Algeria will follow in Botswana’s footsteps. Each and every one of us has seen the immense clinical work done on the ground by Botswana.

I will thus end by wishing Algeria total success.

Thank you for your kind attention. Address by the President of NOC Algeria, Mustapha BERRAF

- The President of ANOCA - The Minister of Sports, - The Chairlady of the Organising Committee AYGs 2014 - Government Representatives, - Excellencies, Ambassadors here present, - Members of the Olympic and Sporting Movement, - Fellow friends, distinguished guests,

I wish, on behalf of the Algeria Olympic and Sports Movement and our Minister of Sports, who could not be with us owing to his tight schedule, to heartily thank President LassanaPalenfo, the ANOCA Executive Committee, as well as my brothers and sisters of the Olympic and Sporting Movement who have, once more, demonstrated their confidence by entrusted us with the hosting of the third African Youth Games, which will take place in Algiers in 2018. I thus wish to reassure them and to say, as is our wont, that Algeria will leave no stone unturned to give them a most befitting welcome and add a new dimension to these games. Also allow me to congratulate our Botswana friends, especially the Minister of Sports and the Chairlady of the Organising Committee, who have made these games a huge success and turned them into a high profile event on the international sports arena. Permit me, furthermore, to thank all my brothers and sisters of the Olympic and sporting movement for their availability and the relentless efforts they have been making since these games kicked off. I also wish, at this juncture, to say a big Bravo to all volunteers. We really appreciate their work!

See you soon in Algiers! Long live Botswana! Long live Algeria Thank you! Gaborone In pictures