Africa set aside its problems to celebrate unity, peace and love at the Eighth All-Africa Games in Abuja. Eric Asomougha reports from Nigeria Virtually all African states were represented in one of the most spectacular opening ceremonies in the history of the All- Africa Games which was graced by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and other world dignitaries. From war-ravaged Sierra Leone, weary Rwanda to the Ethiopians, which lined up closely behind rivals Eritrea, depicting the futility of war and enmity, Africa once again united in the name of sports. The opening was a classic that will go down in history as perhaps the best ever, according to many observers. A sea of long handkerchiefs held by over 570 children were waved in harmony to the sounds of entertaining musical groups. The crowd was thrilled when the "Sango man", Nigeria's god of thunder as depicted in the Yoruba tribe, dressed in full regalia, lit the torch with fire blazing forth from his mouth. This followed a kaleidoscope of fireworks which adorned the sky above the stadium as the crowd yelled its satisfaction. Earlier, two sets of youth calisthenics groups entertained the crowd. Among their displays was the formation of body shapes to write "WELCOME". On the upper terrace, over 2,000 children raised several soul-searching messages on posters before the president and other African leaders assumed to be watching on television. They asked the leaders to end poverty, HIV/AIDS and foster democracy and unity on the continent. Another attraction at the opening ceremony were 33 dubar horses which brought in each country's flag into the stadium. It was also an opportunity for most countries to showcase their culture. The Ghanaian contingent were dressed in kente and waved the flag continuously. Swaziland's athletes were dressed in traditional Ankara wrapper, clutching gold walking sticks which they waved to the crowd. Other countries that went traditional included Lesotho, which came with raffia-made traditional hats they waved with relish to the crowd. South Africa, Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Kenya came in large numbers. But host Nigeria marched in with the largest contingent, numbering about 1,000. The Eighth All-Africa Games is the largest ever, featuring 23 sporting events. According to reports, sponsorships for the Games have come from the telecom sector, banking, automobile manufacturing and even consumables. The move was said to have contributed greatly to complementing the government's expenses estimated to have been in the millions of dollars. The Games, to be held from 4 to 18 October, were last hosted by South Africa. Egypt began its campaign in Abuja with two silver medals in women's gymnastics. Norhan Saad Ahmed won Egypt's first medal after garnering 33,700 points in the individual event hotly contested at the main gym of the sports complex in Abuja. Ahmed finished behind South Africa's Joyce Kerry who scored 33,750 points to win her country's first gold medal in the Games. Another South African, Zandre Labuschangne, won the bronze by scoring 32,850 points. Egypt won another silver in the team event with 99.075 points, again behind gold medallist South Africa which tallied 99,950 points. Namibia took the bronze after recording 91,825 points. "Egypt presented the strongest challenge in the competition. We are expecting a stronger challenge in the men's event. It will be another tough one for us, as countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Nigeria will be there. But we have our eyes on the gold," said Jerry Massai, president of the South African Gymnastics Federation. Egypt is regarded as one the strongest teams in the Games having won the editions in 1965, 1973, 1987 and 1991. But the Egyptian men's football team lost their opening match 3-1 to defending champions Cameroon. Still, they hope to win their remaining matches in the group in order to qualify for the second stage. Egypt has one of largest contingents in the Games after Nigeria and South Africa. The athletes are hoping to win medals in most of the events they have entered. These would include weightlifting, football, squash, handball, field hockey, swimming and table tennis.
