Anju Bobby George of India wins bronze in the long jump (© Getty Images)
Hyderabad, IndiaAt the conclusion of the Athletics competition at inaugural Afro-Asian Games (28-30 October) at GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Gachibowli yesterday, Africa emerged triumphant having taken 29 of the 41 gold medals on offer.
The Games had produced an exciting three days of track and field competition in which 95 nations competed. After a strenuous 2003 season during which the IAAF World Championships, IAAF World Athletics Final, Asian Championships and African Games were contested, it was not surprising that the first ever Afro-Asian Games failed to attract all the elite athletes from the two continents. Nevertheless, the organisers of the event can be satisfied with what they achieved in hosting the Games for the first time ever.
The idea for a dual meet between athletes from Asia and Africa was first mooted way back in 1964 but it took nearly four decades to beat the odds and put that plan into action. Hence, both the organisers and athletic officials of the two continents, which accounts for almost half of the international sporting community, must be praised for launching the Games and attracting the huge level of participation in each of the eight sports including the main Athletics competition.
All in all there were a total of 41 track and field events contested and while the first day's honours were shared with Asia and Africa winning five gold medals each, the Africans cut loose thereafter and went on to show their total dominance in the final two days. They won both the men's and women's 100m races as well as the four Relays.
Of the 41 gold medals that were on offer, 29 were won by Africans. South Africa and Ethiopia had five golds each while two other gold medals were won by combined African teams. Among the other countries who excelled for Africa were Sudan (four gold medals), Kenya and Nigeria (three each). Only three countries contributed to Asia’s 12 gold medals - five by China, four by Kazakhstan and three by India. The hosts had all reasons in the world to be proud because apart from these three golds Indians won several silver and bronze medals and generally lived up to expectations of the home supporters.
Indian Anju George proved that the bronze medal she won at the recent IAAF World Championships was not just a rare occurrence. She just did what her countrymen had wanted, perform for the first time on home soil after her Paris medal and won the women's Long Jump gold medal. George can now eye next year's Olympics with greater confidence.
Nigeria ended the final day with some memorable moments, taking back home the fastest man and fastest woman of the Afro Asian Games. Adetonunbo Oloji Fasuba won the men's 100m just minutes after his team mate Endurance Ojokolo had won the women's dash.
Veteran World and Olympic medallist Frank Fredericks won two gold medals - men's 200m and 4 x 100m relay. The Namibian sprinter showed that he has not lost his touch though he is approaching the latter stages of his international career which blossomed after his World silver and African Games sprint double in 1991.
IAAF Council member and Asian Area President, Suresh Kalmadi, MP, played a prominent role in bringing the first ever Afro-Asian Games to the Provincial state capital of Andra Pradesh, and can be very satisfied with their success.
Overall, the dual meet gave good exposure to the athletes from the two continents, providing a test of their skills before many enter big league competition with the European and American athletes for the first time next year. Evaluating the successful completion of the event, which at one time looked in the balance, the Afro-Asian Games should serve as a useful breeding ground for future international stars.
