Historic AES Games launched in Bamako
Mali will host the inaugural Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Games from June 21-28, 2025, marking a landmark moment in regional cooperation. The announcement came during a press conference in Ouagadougou by the Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment.
Organized under the leadership of Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Mali’s General Assimi Goïta, and Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani, the event symbolizes the three nations’ shared commitment to sovereignty and fraternal bonds.
More than 500 young athletes from member states will compete across nine disciplines including U17 football, traditional wrestling, archery, athletics, and martial arts (Kung-Fu Wushu, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo).
The AES Games represent the strategic vision of the AES to harness sports as a tool for integration, peace and civic engagement. The competition aims to :
- Strengthen youth connections across the Sahel
- Promote sporting excellence
- Provide a platform for cultural exchange
The games coincide with the AES nations’ broader efforts to assert regional autonomy, transforming the Sahel into a unified geopolitical force.
All events will take place at Bamako’s newly renovated 25,000-seat Modibo Keita Stadium, with opening ceremonies featuring performances showcasing Sahelian cultural heritage.
Neil Camara
