Egypt Leads All Countries at All-Africa Games

(ATR) After nine days of competition, Egypt sits atop the medal table at the All Africa Games with 93, already surpassing their total from the All Africa Games in 2011.

Egypt now holds a strong lead in the 20-sport event that is nearly at the halfway point. South Africa is currently in second with 67 medals and Algeria rounds out the top three with 48 medals.

In the gold medal race, Egypt is just two medals above second place South Africa with 31 and 29 respectively. Algeria is in a distant third with 16 golds.

South Africa finished atop the medal table at the last edition of the All Africa Games hosted in Maputo, Mozambique in 2011. Egypt finished fifth in total medals at those games but had the second most golds.

This year’s competition marks the 50th anniversary of these games and the second time Brazzaville, Congo is hosting the event. Brazzaville hosted the inaugural All-Africa Games in 1965.

Although competition began on September 2, the opening ceremony of these games took place on September 4 in Kintele Stadium. Athletes competing in badminton, fencing, gymnastics and volleyball all began their events before the opening ceremony.

Only six sports have yet to begin at the event while five are already completed. Three events get underway Thursday with athletes in handball, table tennis and cycling opening up competition.

Approximately 8,000 athletes from 54 countries will compete throughout the 15 day event.

The All-Africa Games come to a close on September 19.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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