Record-Breaking Continental Turnout
Scheduled from December 10 to 20 in Luanda and five other Angolan cities, the 2025 AYG will feature around 33 sports. More than 30 countries have confirmed their participation, surpassing previous editions and marking a historic milestone for the youth-focused multi-sport event.
The Games have grown steadily since their inaugural edition in Morocco in 2010, which hosted 14 nations. Botswana 2014 welcomed 24 countries, and Algeria 2018 saw 25 nations compete. This year, Angola’s edition has not only exceeded expectations but also welcomed several countries making their AYG debut.
Table Tennis Among Rising Youth Sports
Wahid Oshodi, President of ITTF Africa, hailed the growing popularity of table tennis among young Africans.
“The turnout of teams for the 2025 AYG in Angola reflects the growth of table tennis among young people in Africa. This number even surpasses the list of competing nations at the last African Games in Ghana. With more support and encouragement for Member Associations, we can expect even greater participation at the next African Games in Egypt,” he said.
Participating Nations
Countries set to compete include Algeria, Burundi, Benin Republic, Botswana, Chad, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and host nation Angola.
The African Youth Games target athletes aged 14–17, offering a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills across multiple disciplines.
A Historic First for Angola
The 2025 edition is historic on several fronts. Angola becomes the first Portuguese-speaking country to host the Games, coinciding with the nation’s 50th independence anniversary. This milestone adds a celebratory dimension to the event, making it a landmark occasion not just for Angola, but for the African continent as a whole.
The 2025 AYG is expected to leave a lasting legacy by promoting youth sports development, fostering cross-cultural exchange, and providing a springboard for the continent’s next generation of athletes.