1987 All-Africa Games
Encyclopedia
The 4th All-Africa Games
were played from August 1, 1987 to August 12, 1987 in Nairobi
, Kenya
. 42 countries participated in fourteen sports.
From the beginning the intent had been to hold the African Games every four years. Economic difficulties and general civil unrest had never allowed this to happen. The fourth Games were no exception. Originally scheduled for 1982, a weak Kenyan economy slowed preparations. The Chinese
helped provide the necessary funds and manpower to begin building Kasarani Stadium, but too late to hold the games on schedule. It was suggested at one time that Tunis
, Tunisia
arrange the fourth games in 1982 and Nairobi
take its turn in the fifth games in 1986. This proposal was voted down, but the Nairobi games dates were pushed back to 1986. This was still not enough time for the Kenyans to ready themselves and the games finally opened in August 1987. The Games have kept to the four-year schedule since this edition.
A torch was relayed from Nairobi to the Kenyan coast, the Kenyan highlands and back to Nairobi where World Champion John Ngugi
carried it into the stadium in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 80,000.
Organizational difficulties with housing and facilities, typical in events such as these, were evident in the Nairobi games as well, but in the end the games concluded without undue calamity.
Egypt
won the soccer final from host Kenya on the final day, and finished at the top of the medals table once again.
In addition, Nigeria won all four relay race
s; 4x100 metres and 4x400 metres for men and for women.
Some new women's events were added: 3000 metres
, 10000 metres
, 400 metres hurdles
and 5000 metres track walk
. Additionally, the obsoleted pentathlon
event was replaced by the heptathlon
.
tournament was won by Egypt. It was the first Games in which the host country did not win, although the host Kenya finished second. Malawi won their first All-Africa medal.
All-Africa Games
The All-Africa Games, sometimes called the African Games or the Pan African Games, are a regional multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa...
were played from August 1, 1987 to August 12, 1987 in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. 42 countries participated in fourteen sports.
From the beginning the intent had been to hold the African Games every four years. Economic difficulties and general civil unrest had never allowed this to happen. The fourth Games were no exception. Originally scheduled for 1982, a weak Kenyan economy slowed preparations. The Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
helped provide the necessary funds and manpower to begin building Kasarani Stadium, but too late to hold the games on schedule. It was suggested at one time that Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
arrange the fourth games in 1982 and Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
take its turn in the fifth games in 1986. This proposal was voted down, but the Nairobi games dates were pushed back to 1986. This was still not enough time for the Kenyans to ready themselves and the games finally opened in August 1987. The Games have kept to the four-year schedule since this edition.
A torch was relayed from Nairobi to the Kenyan coast, the Kenyan highlands and back to Nairobi where World Champion John Ngugi
John Ngugi
John Ngugi Kamau , is a former Kenyan athlete, often called one of the greatest cross country runners of all time and winner of the 5000 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympics.-Career:...
carried it into the stadium in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 80,000.
Organizational difficulties with housing and facilities, typical in events such as these, were evident in the Nairobi games as well, but in the end the games concluded without undue calamity.
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
won the soccer final from host Kenya on the final day, and finished at the top of the medals table once again.
Medal table
| 1987 All-Africa Games medal count | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 |  Egypt |
31 | 22 | 20 | 73 |
| 2 |  Tunisia |
28 | 26 | 22 | 76 |
| 3 |  Nigeria |
23 | 16 | 21 | 60 |
| 4 |  Kenya |
22 | 25 | 16 | 63 |
| 5 |  Algeria |
13 | 23 | 23 | 59 |
| 6 |  Senegal |
7 | 2 | 12 | 21 |
| 7 |  Ethiopia |
3 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
| 8 |  Ghana |
3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 9 |  Uganda |
3 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| 10 |  Zimbabwe |
2 | 5 | 6 | 13 |
| 11 |  Madagascar |
2 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 12 |  Cameroon |
1 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
| 13 |  Côte d'Ivoire |
1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 14 |  Mauritius |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
 Zaire |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 16 |  Tanzania |
0 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 17 |  Republic of the Congo |
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 18 |  Rwanda |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 19 |  Zambia |
0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 20 |  Seychelles |
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 21 |  Malawi |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
 Chad |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Angola |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Mozambique |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Burundi |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 164 | 159 | 176 | 499 | ||
Athletics
Three athletes, two female and one male, won more than one event:- Selina ChirchirSelina ChirchirSelina Chirchir is a retired Kenyan middle-distance runner and a marathoner. She competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics while still a schoolgirl at the Sing'ore Girls' Secondary School in Iten....
, Kenya (800 metres and 1500 metres) - Maria UsifoMaria UsifoMaria Usifo is a retired Nigerian athlete who specialized in the 100 and 400 metres hurdles.-Achievements:*1989 African Championships - gold medal *1988 African Championships - gold medal...
, Nigeria (100 m hurdles and 400 m hurdles) - Adewale OlukojuAdewale OlukojuAdewale Olukoju is a Nigerian athlete who competed in discus throw and shot put. He was very prominent in African athletics in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning four gold medals in total at the All-Africa Games....
, Nigeria (shot put and discus throw)
In addition, Nigeria won all four relay race
Relay race
During a relay race, members of a team take turns running, orienteering, swimming, cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ice skating parts of a circuit or performing a certain action. Relay races take the form of professional races and amateur games...
s; 4x100 metres and 4x400 metres for men and for women.
Some new women's events were added: 3000 metres
3000 metres
The 3000 metres is a popular amateur middle distance track event where 7.5 laps are completed around a 400 metre track. This event is generally classified as middle distance, but it could be classed as a long distance event in many high schools, since they do not promote races such as the 5000 and...
, 10000 metres
10000 metres
The 10,000 metres or 10K is a common long distance running event. As "10,000 metres" it is a track event, and appears in athletics events such as the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics; as "10K" it is a roadrace or cross country running event...
, 400 metres hurdles
Hurdling
Hurdling is a type of track and field race.- Distances :There are sprint hurdle races and long hurdle races. The standard sprint hurdle race is 110 meters for men and 100 meters for women. The standard long hurdle race is 400 meters for both men and women...
and 5000 metres track walk
Race walking
Racewalking, or race walking, is a long-distance athletic event. Although it is a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times...
. Additionally, the obsoleted pentathlon
Pentathlon
A pentathlon is a contest featuring five different events. The name is derived from Greek: combining the words pente and -athlon . The first pentathlon was documented in Ancient Greece and was part of the Ancient Olympic Games...
event was replaced by the heptathlon
Heptathlon
A heptathlon is a track and field athletics combined events contest made up of seven events. The name derives from the Greek hepta and athlon . A competitor in a heptathlon is referred to as a heptathlete.-Women's Heptathlon:...
.
Basketball
- Men: 1. AngolaAngola national basketball teamThe Angola national basketball team represents Angola in international basketball matches and is controlled by the Federação Angolana de Basquetebol. Angola has been a member of FIBA since 1979...
, 2. SenegalSenegal national basketball teamThe Senegal national basketball team are the men's basketball side that represent Senegal in international competition. The squad has comprised several players to have competed in the National Basketball Association, including Charlotte Bobcats center DeSagana Diop, and is considered, with those... - Women: 1. Zaire
Field hockey
Field hockey was part of the games for the first time. The venue was City Park Hockey Stadium.- Men: 1. KenyaKenya national field hockey teamThe Kenyan National Field Hockey Team represent Kenya Hockey Union in the international field hockey competition. Kenya's best result in the Hockey World Cup was fourth place in 1971...
, 2. Zimbabwe, 3. Egypt, 4. Ghana, 5. Tanzania, 7. Zambia
Football
The soccerFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
tournament was won by Egypt. It was the first Games in which the host country did not win, although the host Kenya finished second. Malawi won their first All-Africa medal.
| Gold: | Silver: | Bronze: |
Coach: |
Coach: Reinhard Fabisch Reinhard Fabisch Reinhard Fabisch was a German football manager who was last employed as manager of the Benin national side, a position he took up in December 2007 and left in May 2008.-Coaching career:... |
Coach: Reuben Malola |
Handball
- Men: 1. AlgeriaAlgeria national handball teamThe Algeria national handball team is the national handball team of Algeria and is controlled by the Algerian Handball Federation.-African Nations Championship Record:*1976 - 2nd*1979 - 3rd*1981 - Winners*1983 - Winners*1985 - Winners...
, 2. Congo, 3. EgyptEgypt national handball teamThe Egyptian national handball team is the national handball team of Egypt and is controlled by the Egyptian Handball Federation.The Team's performance in the '90s boosted the sport's popularity in the country and attracted media and official attention, especially after scoring a huge upset against... - Women: 1. Cote d'IvoireCôte d'Ivoire women's national handball teamThe Côte d'Ivoire women's national handball team is the national handball team of Côte d'Ivoire. It is takes part in international team handball competitions.The team participated in the 2009 World Women's Handball Championship in China, finishing 18th....
, 2. CongoCongo women's national handball teamThe Congo women's national handball team is the national team of Republic of the Congo . It takes part in international team handball competitions....
, 3. CameroonCameroon women's national handball teamThe Cameroon women's national handball team is the national team of Cameroon. It takes part in international team handball competitions. The team participated in the 2005 World Women's Handball Championship, where they placed 22nd....
Taekwondo
The taekwondo competition took place at Desai Memorial Hall between August 1 and August 4, 1987. The men's winners were :| Weight | Winner | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Fin | Anthony Mensah | Ghana |
| Fly | John Kariuki | Kenya |
| Bantam | John Phafoli | Lesotho |
| Feather | Molise Tau | Lesotho |
| Light | Dominic Kim | Nigeria |
| Welter | Osborne Kunenei | Swaziland |
| Middle | Anthony Ilukhor | Nigeria |
| Heavy | Pius Ilukhor | Nigeria |
Volleyball
- Men: 1. CameroonCameroon men's national volleyball teamThe Cameroon men's national volleyball team represents Cameroon in international volleyball competitions and friendly matches.-World Championship:*1990 — 15th place*2010 — 13th place...
, 2. AlgeriaAlgeria men's national volleyball teamThe Algeria men's national volleyball team represents Algeria in international volleyball competitions.****-Olympic Games:*1992 — 12th place-World Championship:* 1994 — 13th place* 1998 — 22nd place...
, 3. Nigeria - Women: 1. EgyptEgypt women's national volleyball teamThe Egypt women's national volleyball team represents Egypt in international women's volleyball competitions and friendly matches.-World Championship:* 2006 — 23rd place* 2002 — 22nd place...
, 2. KenyaKenya women's national volleyball teamThe Kenya women's national volleyball team represents Kenya in international volleyball competitions.-Olympic Games:* 1964 to 1996 — did not participate* 2000 — 11th place* 2004 — 11th place* 2008 — did not participate...
, 3. Mauritius