NAIROBI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- For the first time, the African U-18 and U-20 Athletics Championships will be held in one venue concurrently: in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in 2019, according to the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
CAA president Hamad Malboum Kalbaba said the decision had been made owing to a lack of bids, and that both events would run from April 16-20.
The competitions form part of the build-up to the 2020 IAAF World Under-20 championships, which will be hosted in Kenya's capital Nairobi.
"These competitions will take place at the same time and will be held over five days according to a well-established schedule," said Kalkaba in a statement on Monday evening.
Kalkaba hopes awarding the event to Cote d'Ivoire, which is strong in sprints and field competitions, will spur the country's rising talents.
"We chose Cote d'Ivoire because Ivorian athletics has a history. We are convinced that the potential lies there," he added.
Alongside the two competitions in Cote d'Ivoire, the CAA will also hold its general assembly in Abidjan where the organization's presidential election will take place. Incumbent president Kalkaba is defending his seat. Enditem
