Cameroon to host 2024 African Athletics Championship in June
By Charity Ngingyu
Cameroon will be hosting the 2024 edition of the African Athletics Championship in Douala come June 2024.
The historic decision was unanimously reached during the Confederation of African Athletics Council meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia, in April 2023.
Following the footsteps of Mauritius in 2022, Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, has been selected to host the 23rd edition of Africa’s premier athletics competition from June 15th to 25th, 2024.
The choice of Douala, often referred to as the “city of sunshine,” by the Confederation of African Athletics, stems from its cosmopolitan nature and the strategic location of the iconic Réunification Stadium at the heart of the city. Also considering the proximity of the competition venue to several international standard hotels and healthcare facilities.
With athletes of African origin who represent 40 to 45% of the global athletics elite set to compete, the championship will be taking place just a month before the Paris Olympics, scheduled for July-August 2024.
The 2024 African Athletics Championship DOUALA 2024 is expected to garner participation from 54 countries, over 3,500 visitors including athletes, administrators, medical personnel, technical officials, and journalists.
Cameroon was originally designated to host the 2022 African Athletics Championship in Douala, but was stripped of its hosting rights after delays in confirming the proposed date by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
Cameroon’s previous opportunity to host the prestigious event was would have marked the country’s second time hosting. The first instance was in 1996 during the 10th edition held from June 13 to 16 at the Yaounde Omnisports Stadium. The decision for Cameroon to host the 2022 edition was made during a meeting of the CAA on September 24, 2019. in Doha.
The Réunification Stadium of Bepanda-Douala is perceived as the ideal venue to participate in and witness the 24th African Athletics Championship, promising an unforgettable experience for athletes, officials, and spectators alike.
