From Inside the Games

Plans are in place to ensure a country in Africa hosts the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships by 2025, head of its continental body has claimed.

Confederation of African Athletics President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum believes that six different nations are capable of playing host.

They are Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

He claims that IAAF President Sebastian Coe is supportive of his plans and hopes to change a perception that Africa poses a greater security risk than other places.

“I think one of these six countries has the economic potential to host the World Championships,” the Cameroonian, an IAAF vice-president, told insidethegames during this year’s event here.

Malboum outlined the success of both the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala in Uganda in March and the World Under-18 Championships in Kenyan capital Nairobi last month.

This was despite several countries, including United States, Australia, Britain, Switzerland, New Zealand and Canada, all withdrawing prior to the latter event due to security fears.

A Diamond League stop also took place in the Moroccan capital Rabat last month.

“We were a bit unhappy with the fact that many countries did not come, [to the World Cross Country and World Junior Championships],” Malboum said.

“They said this was for security reasons.

“But there are security concerns everywhere: France, United States, and here in London.”

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