Rows over All-Africa Games is a "chronic disease" claims top politician

By Philip Otuo,

Political divisions surrounding organisation of the All-Africa Games is a "chronic disease" within sport in the continent, Ugandan Sports Minister Charles Bakkabulindi claimed at the African International Sports Convention (CISA) .

The build-up to the event in Brazzaville, Congo has been overshadowed by a row over ownership of the 50th anniversary of the Games between the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the African Union Sports Council (AUSC).

Currently, AUSC are organising the event and the two parties are still at loggerheads, with a solution to the problems before the event begins in September appearing unlikely.

The dispute has cost the All-Africa Games the opportunity to serve as a qualification event for next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, meaning a lack of interest among athletes.

Bakkabulindi claims African sport leaders need to alter their way of thinking if the event, due to be held between September 4 and 19, is to have any chance of being a success.

"We need to change our attitude towards the way we look at things," he said.

"There are major problems at the moment and it is becoming a chronic disease.

"We need to get rid of the word ownership and look at forming partnerships for the future of the All-Africa Games."

IAAF President Lamine Diack believes Africa will struggle to produce an effective All African Games due to rows over organisation of the event in Brazzaville. 





























His views were met with an air of scepticism due to the position Bakkabulindi holds, and the feeling among the attendees at CISA are that the Games are set to be a disaster.

Outgoing International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) President Lamine Diack spoke passionately on the subject, and he admitted it would be "difficult" to produce a spectacle that could paint a positive picture of African sport.

"We are left with very few months with no real structure in place and we have to be clear on who is leading these Games," he said.

"The All-Africa Games should be on our minds every day.

"We have the money to make this a success so let's go out and do it."

The All-Africa Games in Brazzaville are struggling to attract much interest among the athletes and the public ©Brazzaville 2015

ANOCA vice-president Mustapha Berraf, who is also at the heart of the row, added that they know there are several problems and complications to overcome with less than six months to go before the event begins. 

As of yet, the Games does not have a television deal, which is in stark contrast to various other continental events taking place this year and, as a result, those in charge are struggling to market the event effectively.