What does organising the CAVB U18 Youth Development Cup mean for Africa
By Muhammad L. Saidykhan
Banjul The Gambia, August 25, 2025 – The 2025 CAVB U18 Beach Volleyball Youth Development Cup is a significant event for African youth, particularly in the realm of beach volleyball.
The event that will be hosted in Banjul is set to be an exciting celebration of youth and Olympic values in Africa. This continental event will bring together young athletes from across Africa, providing a platform for them to showcase their talents, learn from each other, and build lasting relationships.
How will this event shape Africa’s preparations for YOG Dakar 2026.
Platform for Talent Showcase
The tournament will provide a platform for young African athletes to showcase their skills and talents in beach volleyball. It’s expected to untap new breed of young stars across the continent and ignite a new spirit of winning mentality into the young beach volleyball athletes.
Development and Growth
The Banjul tournament aims to promote the development of youth volleyball in Africa, aligning with the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) strategic objective to ensure strong African representation at major international competitions, primarily the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
This tournament will brings together top U18 teams from across Africa, offering participants valuable experience in high-level competition and exposure to international standards in beach volleyball.
Pathway to Olympic Games
The tournament serves as a stepping stone for young athletes to progress to larger international competitions, including the FIVB U18 Beach Volleyball World Championship but most importantly the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
It is part of the African Volleyball Confederation’s key strategic pillars to ensure strong African representation at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Beach Volleyball event.
With funding from Olympic Solidarity, it demonstrate the CAVB’s commitment to developing youth volleyball in Africa, promotes Olympic values and contributes to the growth of beach volleyball in Africa, supporting the continent’s bid for a strong presence at the Youth Olympic Games.
Reacting to this development the president of CAVB Bouchra Hajij echoed her happiness and reaffirmed her continued support and commitment to the development of youth volleyball across Africa.
This is a joint initiative of CAVB, FIVB and the Olympic Solidarity whose aim is to prepare and empower the young athletes in Africa, this is expected to be one of the most important beach volleyball events in the CAVB 2025 calendar and we are putting all efforts together with the Gambia Volleyball Federation to make it a success Hajij said.
The tournament is scheduled from September 2 through September 7 2025 at the iconic Kasumai beach in The Gambia.
