AYG Talents Hunt Excites IOC Boss

The International Olym
pic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, has  said he was impressed with the calibre of athletes at the just-concluded African Youth Games (AYG) in Gaborone, Botswana.
According to “Tidesports source, Bach visited the teenagers in the Athletes Village and attended several events in the Games’ final two days.
It stated that the Games, which opened on May 22 and ended on May 31, saw more than 2,500 athletes from 54 countries competing in Botswana’s capital city.
“You can complain about organisation, you can complain about accommodation or transport but if you look at the fire in the athlete’s eyes, you will see the bright future of Africa.
“You (will) see ambitious and happy young athletes who know what they have done and have ambitions and are determine to work hard for their future,’’ Bach said.
Bach encouraged the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the International Federations to continue to work hard to foster the growth of sports in the continent.
“This is what it is all about. This is what we all have to work for and to make sure that the development of sport can happen all over the world.
“Africa can lead by example, not only through the athletes but also the future of athletes we are seeing here in these very Games.
“I’m confident that we will continue the co-operation within the IOC and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), to strengthen and bring about more development of the sports and to the athletes,’’ Bach added.