Sports Africa: Sporting Subalternities and Social Justice

In February 2004, the Ohio University hosted the first edition of ‘Sport in Africa’ Conference. Over the last 10 editions of this conference, between 2004 and 2014, a variety of themes were addressed, including Youth, Gender, Health, Communication, Development, Politics, Globalization and Global South, bringing together sports scholars and practitioners from African, American and European Universities.

In asking: “how does sport help us better understand the richness and complexities of African experiences, in the past and present?” Peter Alegi neatly sets out the central agenda for the 2017 Sports Africa Conference.

Continuing the agenda to advance research and knowledge on “Sport in Africa”, the Institute of Reconciliation and Social Justice at the University of the Free State, South Africa in collaboration with Ohio University will host the 11th edition of “Sports Africa” Conference. The theme for this year’s conference is “Sporting Subalternities and Social Justice”.

This conference will be hosted for the first time in Africa under a new name “Sports Africa”. The conference in Africa and a new name more inclusive of sports by all Africans regardless their geographical location are the symbols of the 11th conference.