Luanda – The chairman of the African Gymnastics Confederation, Ehab Amin Esawy, told to ANGOP, on Tuesday (15), in Luanda, that Angola may host the African Gymnastics Championship, for the first time, in the first quarter of 2028.

The information was provided after a meeting with the minister of Youth and Sports, Rui Falcão, as part of the international tournament being held in the country during the festivities of the 50th anniversary of National Independence.

Speaking to the press, Ehad Amin Esawy guaranteed to use all his diplomacy so that the event takes place in Angola and that it is a qualifier for the “Los Angeles`2028” Olympic Games.

For Ehab Esawy, given the qualities of the Kilamba Multipurpose Pavilion, the venue for the “Dipanda” international tournament, it is almost certain that it will also host the African Championship.

He explained that the idea is to hold two events in one, also integrating an international tournament in which gymnasts from other continents can participate to give greater visibility to the sport and to the country.

For about an hour, in the meeting room of the Kilamba Multipurpose Center, the host minister and the African sport entity discussed the implementation of a training cycle for local professionals, in the disciplines of rhythmic and aerobics, at the end of this year.

In response to this proposal from the African continent's gymnastics leader, the minister of Youth and Sports, Rui Falcão, stated that it was “an event that the country can host without any issues”.

He added that the infrastructure was in place, but acknowledged the need to improve equipment and re-launch the modality.

Flanked by several entities, including the presidents of the Angolan Gymnastics Federation, Miriam Valentim, the Angolan Swimming Federation, Ana Lima, and the Portuguese Gymnastics Federation, Luís Arrais, Rui Falcão watched the senior individual rhythmic gymnastics final.

Athletes from Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Brazil are taking part in the tournament. JAD/MC/CF/jmc