This week begin the 22nd African Athletics Championships after a long wait. Initially scheduled last year in Algeria, it is Mauritius (June 8 to 12) who will host this edition of the biggest continental rendezvous in athletics at the brand-new stadium of Côte d'Or. This is the third edition to be held in Mauritius after those of 1992 in Belle-Vue and 2006 in Bambous. Mauritius therefore joins Egypt, the only country to date to have organized three editions of the African Championships.

The countdown to the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 recently passed the 50 days to go milestone. With the outdoor season in full swing, the world's best athletes are preparing to go head-to-head at Eugene's Hayward Field from 15-24 July.

African athletes shone with a thousand lights in Nairobi, which on Saturday May 7, 2022 hosted the meeting counting for the World Athletics Continental Tour circuit. The middle distance and long distance events were won by the Kenyans and the Ethiopians while South Africa and Egypt also did well in the long sprint and throws. The Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce signed the great performance of the Nairobi meeting by achieving 10"67 over 100 m. The Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala won in the men's category in 9"85 ahead of the American Fred Kerley.

In less than one month, the brand new track of the Côte d'Or sports complex, freshly certified Class 1 Athletics Facility, will host the 22nd edition of the African Senior Championships (June 8-12). This will be the third edition on Maurician land, after those of 1992 at Belle-Vue and 2006 at Bambous. Mauritius will thus join Egypt, the only country so far to have organized three editions of the African Championships.

The first African Athletics Championships date back to 1979, when Senegal hosted the Confederation of African Athletics' flagship event. The 2022 edition will mark the 22nd edition of Africa's most coveted event. From this famous August 2, 1979 to June 8, 2022, 43 years of African athletics are watching us. A little trip back in time...

Reunion Island has got the "exceptional" green light from the Confederation of African Athletics for participation in the continental championships, from June 8 to 12, in Mauritius.

As of February 23, 2022, 42 countries are on the list of entries for the 22nd African Senior Championships scheduled for June 8-12, 2022 in Mauritius. Three countries (Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania) have expressed their willingness to participate but they have not yet submitted their application online or by e-mail to the Mauritius Athletics Federation (MAA). On the other hand, nine countries have not yet announced their participation in Mauritius 2022. These are Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia). But it is not too late as the Confederation of African Athletics has set the deadline for final entries for May 2, 2022.

Countries Entered: Mauritius, Madagascar, Benin, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Congo, Togo, Liberia, Lesotho, Algeria, South Africa, Zambia, Comoros, Djibouti, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ghana, Gabon, DR Congo, Cap- Vert, Chad, Angola, Seychelles, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Libya, Morocco, Malawi.

Nearly thirty countries are on the list of preliminary entries for the 22nd African Senior Championships scheduled for June 8 to 12, 2022 in Mauritius. The African Athletics Confederation has set May 2 as the closing date for final entries.

The President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, carried out an official mission to Mauritius from January 16 to 19, 2022 as part of the preparations for the 22nd African Senior Championships, scheduled for June 8 to 12, 2022. He was accompanied by the CAA Director General, Lamine FATY.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          During the stay, the CAA Delegation paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, on Monday 17 January 2022, at the State House, Réduit and to the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Jugnauth, on Wednesday 19 January, in Port-Louis.

President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum pointed out that he informed President Roopun of the expectations of the Federation to organize a memorable competition in Mauritius. The President of the Republic assured that the government will organize a successful sporting event. The meeting with the Head of Government was also fruitful and the latter reassured the Minister of Youth, Sports and Leisure, Stephan Toussaint, that he would provide his support so that the 22nd edition of the African Athletics Championships senior of the CAA, takes place in the best conditions. "After this assurance, we return to headquarters happy with this support for African youth," added President Kalkaba.

During his three-day visit to Mauritius, Mr Hamad Kalkaba Malboum met with members of the Organizing Committee of the 22nd African Senior Athletics Championships (COCAAS22) and participated in the unveiling ceremony of the logo of these games. A working session with the local organizing committee led to the presentation of the various commissions:

(a) Technical Commission, led by Khemraz Naiko;

(b) Accreditation Commission, led by Zameer Janoo;

(c) Accommodation and Catering Commission, chaired by Fatima Chuttoo;

(d) Transport Commission, led by Fazl Hoolash.

The CAA President visited the Côte d'Or National Sports Complex, where the competitions will take place.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, followed by the Press Conference were the last steps of the CAA delegation stay on Mauritian land.