1978 All-Africa Games

The 3rd All-Africa Games were played from July 13 1978 to July 28 1978 in Algiers, Algeria. 45 countries participated in twelve sports.

The Egyptian team, which had topped the medals table in the previous two games was called home by its government midway through the games after a brawl marred the soccer tournament. The Libyan team, after losing to the Egyptians, attacked the Egyptian players. Spectators armed with metals bars and clubs joined in on the Libyan side. It was reported that Algerian police did little to stop the violence. Live television broadcast the melee to Egypt, and the Egyptian Prime minister called the team home immediately.

The meeting in Algiers gave those African nations associated with the Commonwealth a chance to address another brewing controversy; their proposed boycott of the 1978 Commonwealth Games which were to be held the following month in Edmonton, Canada. The discussions were fruitful and the boycott was not carried out.

Henry Rono, the Kenyan star who had already set four world records on the track in 1978 won the 10,000 meters and 3000 meters steeplechase. Filbert Bayi again took the 1500 meters gold medal.

At the conclusion of the games it was not known where the next games would be held as no city had come forth to offer to hold the games.

Medal table

"Host country in bold."

Athletics

Malian discus thrower Namakoro Niaré won his third title, being the only athlete to do so. Four athletes, two male and two female, won more than one event:

*El Kashief Hassan, Sudan (200 metres and 400 metres)
*Hannah Afriyie, Ghana (100 metres and 200 metres)
*Charlton Ehizuelen, Nigeria (long jump and triple jump)
*Modupe Oshikoya, Nigeria (high jump and long jump)

* Nagui Asaad, Egypt, won his second Gold medal in Shot Put of the All Africa Games in 1978 , Algeria , after his first in 1973 , Nigeria.

Some new events were added: Decathlon and pentathlon, for men and women respectively, as well as men's 20 km road walk.

Football

The football tournament was won by the host country Algeria.

External links

* [http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/afg.htm Athletics results - gbrathletics.com]