According to the IOC, this move aims to shine a spotlight on the 36 inspirational athletes who have faced incredible challenges to reach their start line, and calls on everyone to get behind the team when they represent the over 100 million displaced people on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

The campaign begins with a graphic-novel-style short film that introduces the formidable sporting talents and unique personal stories of Refugee Olympic Team athletes, including Cindy Ngamba (boxing), Dorsa Yavarivafa (badminton) and Ramiro Mora (weightlifting), and Refugee Athlete Scholarship-holder Kavan Majidi (judo), whilst also drawing attention to the shocking scale of the global refugee crisis.

When the team made its debut at Rio 2016, there were close to 60 million displaced people globally. On the eve of Paris 2024, that number has now soared to well over 100 million and is still rising – that’s around 1 in 70 people living on our planet (UNHCR, 2023). Putting all the forcibly displaced people in one place would create the 14th most populous country in the world – and that population is increasing all the time.

Cindy Ngamba, boxing, Refugee Olympic Team, said: “Qualifying for the Olympic Games – that means everything to me. Each member of the Refugee Olympic Team has different backgrounds and life experiences, but sport unites us – we’re a family and we’re going to go out there, support each other, and show the world what we are can do.”

The film was crafted utilising cutting-edge AI technology. An integral aspect of the film’s production was the engagement of contributors affiliated with the refugee community, such as illustrator and author Engy Jarrouj, a refugee from Syria at creative studio Framestore. The film also features an original piece of music produced by recording artists Che Lingo and Manon Dave.

The film is part of a broader initiative that gives the team its own unique identity, nodding to the design of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team emblem – a unifying symbol bringing together diverse athletes. The emblem features arrow markers, signifying the shared experience of their journeys, and a heart – originating from the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) logo, to represent the belonging the team hopes to inspire and that athletes and displaced people around the world have found through sport.

Ramiro Mora, Refugee Olympic Team, weightlifting, said: “I will be so proud stepping out wearing the Refugee Olympic Team emblem. To represent myself, my journey, but also the thousands of people who find themselves in similar circumstances as I did. I hope seeing us walk out at Paris 2024 will bring hope and inspiration to people everywhere”.

Founded by the IOC for the Olympic Games Rio 2016, to ensure that all athletes, no matter their circumstances, have the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games, the Refugee Olympic Team is managed by the ORF. Appearing at the Olympic Games for the third time, the Refugee Olympic Team will represent the over 100 million displaced people around the world and aims to be a symbol of inclusion and inspiration for everyone affected by displacement.

The Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024 was announced on 2 May, and is made up of 36 athletes, hosted by 15 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), competing across 12 sports: athletics, badminton, boxing, breaking, canoeing, cycling, judo, sport shooting, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling. The composition of the team is based on several criteria including, first and foremost, each athlete’s sports performance, and their host country refugee status as verified by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Consideration has also been given to a balanced representation of sport and gender, as well as the spread of countries of origin. Read more about each athlete here.

“1 in 100 Million” hopes to mobilise global support for the Refugee Olympic Team, encouraging fans to follow the athletes’ journey through @RefugeeOlympicTeam and show their support on social media with #ForThe100Million.

The ‘1 in 100 million’ film was directed by William Bartlett at Academy Award-winning animation and visual effects studio Framestore and produced by the IOC in collaboration with creative agency Gravity Road.

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Anyanacho, already a bronze medalist from the 2019 African Games, displayed her talent throughout the competition. She dominated her quarter-final match against burkina Faso‘s Chawquia W. Zabsore, securing her place in the medal rounds.

The determined athlete continued her winning streak in the semi-finals, defeating Morocco‘s Salih Sofia in a thrilling three-round battle.

Facing off against the top-ranked African competitor, Mohammed Aya of Egypt, in the finals, Anyanacho displayed strategic thinking. While she dropped the first round, she came back stronger in the second and third, ultimately securing the gold medal for Nigeria.

With this win, Anyanacho adds another feather to her cap, and Team Nigeria‘s taekwondo squad now boasts 1 gold and 1 bronze medal, with the potential for more victories to come.

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Athletics commences the day at 8:30 am and concludes at 9:30 pm with 28 events, 12 of which will award medals.

Three disciplines marked the beginning of the morning session, where South Africa‘s Fredriech Pretorius claimed victory in all. He triumphed in the Men’s Decathlon 110m hurdles with a time of 14.92, the Men’s Decathlon Discus with a throw of 41.88, and the Men’s Decathlon Pole Vault with a height of 4.40, overcoming competitors from Kenya, Algeria, and Egypt.

In the afternoon session of athletics, the Legon Sports Stadium is expected to once again attract spectators with seven scheduled medal events. These events include the Women’s High Jump Final, Men’s Shot Put Final, Women’s Pole Vault Final, Women’s Triple Jump Final, Women’s Hammer Throw Final, and the Men’s 10000m Final.

In the Women’s High Jump Final, athletes from various nations, including Ghana, Ethiopia, Namibia, Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, and Guinea, will compete for top honours. Similarly, the Men’s Shot Put Final will feature competitors from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Namibia, Mauritius, Egypt, and Togo vying for victory.

The Women’s Pole Vault Final will see participants from Tunisia and South Africa contending for supremacy, while the Women’s Triple Jump Final will feature athletes from Nigeria, Togo, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Mauritius battling for podium places.

Furthermore, the Women’s Hammer Throw Final will showcase competitors from Mali, South Africa, Algeria, the Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt.

The Men’s 10000m Final will witness athletes from Eritrea, Kenya, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Burundi competing for coveted medals.

Meanwhile, the starting lists for the Mixed 4x400m Relay Final, Men’s 100m Final, Men’s Decathlon, Men’s 110m Hurdles Final, Women’s 100m, and Women’s 800m Final will be determined during the heats leading up to the finals.

On the second day of basketball, there will be 16 events, starting from 3 pm to 8:20 pm, with the games taking place at the Legon Netball Court for Women’s Pool B and C, and the University of Ghana Basketball Court for Men’s Pool A and D.

Boxing enters the quarter-finals stage today across all categories with 20 bouts in the Women’s 60kg, Women’s 70kg, Men’s 54kg, Men’s 63.5kg, Men’s 67kg, and Men’s 80kg divisions.

After the Black Princesses secured a final slot against the Falconets of Nigeria in the Women’s football event on Monday, the Black Satellites will aim to join their female compatriots when they face Senegal at 8:30 pm, while Uganda seeks their first medal in men’s football as they take on 1965 gold medallists Congo at the Accra Sports Stadium at 5 pm.

Rugby Sevens makes its debut at the African Games for the first time in history, with Kenya initiating the first of six games against Benin in the Men’s Pool at the GCB Hall, University of Ghana.

Actions continue in Taekwondo at the Ga-Mashie Hall, with the Women’s under 49kg Tatami B, women’s under 67kg Tatami A, and Men’s under 87kg reaching the round of 32.

Taekwondist will vie for victory in the round 16 of the men’s under 74kg Tatami C, women’s under 49kg Tatami B, women’s 67kg Tatami A, Men’s 74kg Tatami C, and men’s under 87kg Tatami D.

Additionally, there will be quarter-final matchups in men’s under 74kg Tatami C and men’s under 87kg Tatami D, and semi-final matchups in women’s under 49kg Tatami B, women’s under 67kg Tatami A, men’s under 74kg Tatami C, and men’s under 87kg Tatami D.

To conclude the day’s Taekwondo events, finalists will battle it out for gold medals in women’s under 49kg Tatami B, women’s under 67kg Tatami A, men’s under 74kg Tatami C, and men’s under 87kg Tatami D.

In tennis at the Borteyman Multipurpose Sports Complex, the quarter-final action begins in women’s singles and doubles, as well as men’s singles and doubles.

Volleyball action returns for the 8th consecutive day, with Nigeria facing Seychelles and Kenya taking on Algeria in the Women’s preliminary round group B.

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Competing in the 67kg weight category, Anyanacho dominated her Kenyan opponent Jully Musanga in two rounds during the recent African/Olympic qualifier held in Dakar, Senegal.

This marks her second consecutive Olympic appearance, having previously competed at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

“Anyanacho will be attending the Paris Games with even more experience and maturity,” declared Saidu. “We have even greater confidence in her abilities now. Lizzy is in high spirits, currently training in Abuja and eagerly awaits the African Games in Accra, Ghana.”

Engr. Habu Gumel, IOC member and President of the NOC, expressed his pride through a statement issued by the Committee’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya.

“The Olympic Movement is proud to be associated with such a rising star. Elizabeth is committed to raising the Nigerian flag high in Paris,” noted the lone Nigerian IOC member.

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During a meeting with presidents of various sports federations on Monday, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan, addressed critical issues pertaining to the nation’s preparation and participation in the upcoming event.

Nigeria’s participation will span 25 sports, with eight serving as Olympic qualifiers including athletics, badminton, cycling, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, and wrestling.

Additionally, the country will compete in 15 non-Olympic qualifying sports such as arm wrestling, basketball (3×3), beach volleyball, boxing, chess, cricket, football, and handball. Furthermore, two sports, mixed martial arts, and scrabble, will be demonstrated by Nigerian athletes.

Senator Enoh, during the meeting, urged federation presidents to strive for superior performance compared to the previous African Games held in Morocco.

“I urge you all to give your utmost effort and guide your federations towards achieving exceptional results in Ghana. We bear the responsibility of upholding our nation’s flag and bringing pride to our people.”

The camping sites have been designated in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Gombe, and Bayelsa. Abuja will accommodate athletes participating in athletics, arm wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, rugby, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting, and volleyball.

Lagos will serve as the campsite for beach volleyball, cricket, handball, table tennis, mixed martial arts, and triathlon. Ibadan will host boxing, chess, scrabble, judo, and karate. Bayelsa will cater to the wrestling team, while Gombe will provide facilities for the cycling team.

Nigeria remains the second most successful nation in the history of the Games with a total of 1326 medals won across 12 editions of the Games held every four years.

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This information was disclosed in a press release made available by the Acting Secretary-General of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Chidiebere Ezeani, on 18 January 2024.

The African University Games, organised for university athletes by the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU), is a multi-sport event that brings together the continent’s top university athletes, with an upper age limit of 25 years, to compete for prestigious titles.

The games are staged once every two years as a flagship event, with ten editions having already been held. The format of participation at the Games has changed from national university teams to individual universities since the 8th FASU Games in South Africa in 2016.

The last edition was hosted by Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, with over 1,000 student athletes competing in 12 Olympic sports.

The 2024 event will see a slight increase in the number of sports from 12 to 13, divided into two individual and team sports categories.

• Category 1 (Individual Sports): Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Judo, Table Tennis, Tennis, Karate, Taekwondo, Swimming
• Category 2 (Team Sports): Basketball, Football, Volleyball, and Handball

𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 – @FASU_Games #FASUGames #WeAreAfrica #NousSommesLAfrique pic.twitter.com/urCZNjj0Kb

— FASU-Africa University Sports (@fasuafrica) January 18, 2024

According to the release, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the African university sports community during the commissioning of projects at Lagos State University earlier this month. The initiative behind the games “aligns with his vision to promote sports development and provide world-class facilities for athletes.”

A historic aspect of this event is also the co-hosting by female Vice-Chancellors of the respective universities. Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and her counterpart, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, the 9th Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, will lead this groundbreaking collaboration.

Prof. Ogunsola shared, “We will leverage the excellent facilities developed during the NUGA Games in 2021.” She outlined plans to enhance the university sports centre, including the recently commissioned 240-bed sports hostel.

Expressing gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State for his support, Prof. Olatunji-Bello highlighted the significance of this event for Lagos State and the broader Nigerian university community.

NUGA’s Acting President, Dr. Bawa Mohammed, commended the co-hosting institutions for their continuous contribution to the development of university sports in Nigeria.

He tasked them with showcasing the warmth of Nigerian hospitality and providing Africa with a memorable experience.

Nigeria is hosting the event for the second time after hosting the 2004 event in Bauchi State, where 15 nations competed.

FASU Games 2024 Updates

As the excitement surrounding the 11th All-Africa University Games continues to build, Made In Africa Sport remains your ultimate source for all the latest news and updates. Stay glued to our social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and visit our website regularly at madeinafricasport.com for:

• Detailed reports: Get in-depth coverage of all the competitions, including exclusive interviews with athletes, coaches, and officials.
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• Latest news: Stay ahead of the curve with breaking news, updates on athlete performances, and all the action from the Games.

Don’t miss a single moment of the FASU Games 2024! Make Made In Africa Sport your go-to platform for all things Africa and university sports.

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Goals from Onyebuchi Bright, Eme Amos and Ugochukwu Ifeanyi, ensured that the “Digital Boyz” as they are fondly called, would go home with the gold medal, trophy, and cash prize.

Not only did the Federal University win the tournament, but they also set a record that should stand the test of time as they were able to triumph over each of their opponents in every stage of the competition without conceding a single goal.

FUTO has now set a record of playing 5 games with 0 goals conceded, but this feat wouldn’t have been possible if not for the defensive prowess of the team captain, Onyekachi Akandu, his centre-back pair, Okudo Gerald with Stanley and Tobechukwu from the full-back positions who were starters all through the tournament.

The coach of the side, Engineer Sunny and the FUTO Director of Sports, Dr. Mrs Anyanwu alongside the FUTO SUG Director of Sports, Onyitex, were all smiling as they saw their male team triumph against all odds.

In recent years, the “Digital Boys” have gone on to show that the Federal University is not a pushover when it comes to sports.

The likes of Chika Chukwumerije, Elizabeth Anyanacho who both are Taekwondo professional athletes who have represented Nigeria at the Olympic Games, were all students of the prestigious South Eastern University.

The Vice Chancellor of the school, Dr. Mrs Nnenna Oti, was overwhelmed with joy when she learnt her school had won the competition, she was supportive all through and has continued to give the team the required support. She also promised to continue backing the Sports Unit as they go into even bigger competitions within months.

Next stop for the football team is the HiFL and the South Eastern University Football Tournament. That would pose a real challenge for FUTO, but will they be able to come out victorious in style again as they have done on the state level?

They have set the bar high; it is now time to maintain the standards, as they will become targets for teams going forward.

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The newly unveiled pictograms illustrate each of the Olympic and Paralympic sports in a unique coat of arms, paying homage to the complexity of each of these sports and what makes them original.

Each of the 62  Paris  2024 pictograms is a rallying cry and a symbol; a standard that will ignite fans’ pride during the world’s largest sporting event.

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