By Tony Nezianya
The official opening ceremony for the 4th African Youth Games took place on Saturday night at the November 11th Stadium in Luanda on December 13, 2025.
The opening ceremonies featured a march past, and the event was a vibrant spectacle.
The speech of the ANOCA president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Algerian Mustapha Berraf, was inspirational, promising a “grand and vibrant spectacle” that would celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Angola and Africa as a whole.”
ANOCA is the founder and the organiser of the Games.
Berraf paid glowing tribute to the universal values of sport, showcasing Angola as the first Portuguese-speaking country to host the event.
The ceremony was a significant opportunity for Angola to showcase its hosting capabilities, modern infrastructure, and deep commitment to African sport.
The event featured a parade – the traditional parade of nations, where young athletes from the expected 54 African countries marched into the stadium.
Team South Africa (Team SA), for example, had their flag carried by 16-year-old judo player Ayabulela Gwama and 16-year-old weightlifter Tyrell Stewart.
Team Gambia also made a “colourful and spirited appearance” in the parade.
The ANOCA President, Berraf, I., in his Address, emphasised that the Games are more than just a competition; they are a driver of social transformation, unity, and a platform for young talents to build bridges between nations.
A significant theme of the night was the Games’ role as a crucial qualification pathway for the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
The ceremony successfully marked the official launch of the Games, providing a unifying and inspirational start for the thousands of young athletes gathered in Luanda.
Some members of Team Nigeria, who were travelling to Angola with the bulk of the official ceremonial outfit of the contingent, were unable to clear the consignment at the airport in good time
This is because the luggage was diverted to a new Angolan airport due to a mix-up by Ethiopian airline officials.
It took Team Nigeria’s official personnel a considerable number of man-hours at the airport to sort out the team’s luggage and resolve some immigration issues related to visa processing on arrival.
This arrangement has apparently overwhelmed Angola’s immigration officials, who struggled to cope with its aftermath, which has adversely affected virtually all teams that arrived for the Games. End
Nezianya is the official spokesman of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, who is in Luanda
