Bamako has become the focal point of a regional effort to enhance the medical care of athletes, as experts and officials from across West Africa gathered on Saturday for a seminar dedicated to sports medicine and the supervision of major sporting events.
The event, held at the Bamako International Conference Center (CICB) on July 19, was co-chaired by Mali’s Minister of Health and Social Development, Doctor Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, and the Minister of Youth and Sports.
It brought together medical professionals, physiotherapists, and sports administrators from multiple countries to address the challenges of safeguarding athletes’ health during high-stakes competitions.
Opening the seminar, the director of the Bamako Sports Medicine Center highlighted the growing influence of sport as a “social, economic, and diplomatic force” in contemporary society, stressing the critical importance of protecting athletes’ well-being.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, she noted that regular exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20 to 30% and improve mental health, yet sports injuries account for up to 40% of trauma consultations among amateur athletes in Africa, according to a 2022 study by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The director underscored the rising importance of sports medicine, which she described as “an essential pillar in the preparation, monitoring, and protection of athletes,” calling for strengthened training for medical teams to effectively prevent and manage injuries.
Seydina Oumar Diane, Secretary General of Zone 2 of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), praised Mali’s commitment to sports development, including the recent renovation of the Ouezzin Coulibaly Stadium. The project, valued at 4.5 billion CFA francs, upgraded the venue to host nearly 10,000 spectators in compliance with CAF and FIFA standards.
Doctor Colonel Touré called the seminar “timely,” given the upcoming qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the ANOCA Zone 2 Games, emphasizing the need to enhance “the technical and scientific skills of medical teams” despite material challenges.
A joint WHO-African Union report from 2023 revealed that only 30% of West African national sports federations have specialized medical teams for competitions, with a shortage of trained doctors, averaging one per 700 athletes.
The seminar concluded with commitments to draft regional recommendations and strengthen cooperation among participating nations, alongside workshops on managing acute injuries, preventing dehydration, and early detection of cardiovascular issues.
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