Youth football tournament highlights Africa's fight against antimicrobial resistance

A youth football tournament held this week in Yaounde, Cameroon, has brought attention to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Africa. The event was part of the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, with Cameroon serving as the official host for Africa’s regional celebrations. 

The football tournament was officiated by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Delegate of Cameroon, Dr Garga Gonne, and Dr Jane Lwoyero the AMR and Food Safety Officer at WOAH. In his opening remarks, Dr Garga Gonne, highlighted the importance of advocacy to and by youth on AMR, noting their significance in the global fight against AMR.

The tournament united young players, health advocates, and officials to raise awareness about AMR, a serious global health threat. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture accelerates AMR, which can render life-saving medications ineffective. 

“The youth are a priority audience for awareness and education efforts. They play a significant role as future professionals and consumers. They can also be agents of change with their energy and potential influence on national and global decision-making processes,”  said WOAH’s Dr Jane Lwoyero.

Dr. Ali Ahmed Yahaya, AMR Team Leader at the World Health Organization (WHO), explained the importance of engaging young people in advocacy efforts. “Doctors have well-established protocols to treat patients, but unfortunately, we find ourselves in situations where some people use antibiotics without a prescription,” he said. “Our goal is to act by involving several stakeholders, including young people who play football. Once these young people are informed on the issue, they can not only advise their families, colleagues, and parents on how to avoid triggering antimicrobial resistance but also individually become more aware and change their behaviour.” 

AMR is a threat across Africa 

AMR is a growing challenge in Africa, where limited healthcare infrastructure, high rates of infectious diseases, and widespread misuse of antibiotics exacerbate the problem. It is estimated that by 2050, drug-resistant infections could cause 4.1 million deaths annually across the continent if no action is taken. 

The misuse of antibiotics is also prevalent in agriculture, with more than 70 percent of antibiotics in some African countries used in livestock, often without veterinary oversight. This increases the risk of resistant bacteria spreading to humans. 

Highlighting the multi-sectoral One Health approach to fighting AMR, the youth tournament was jointly organized by six key partners: the African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). 

The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing AMR. Dr. Lassina Ouattara, Country Team Leader for FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), stressed the importance of public engagement. “When prescribing protocols are not followed, over time, the microbes for which the medication is intended will no longer be sensitive to it. This leads to what is called resistance. This simply means that we need, through the efforts of these agencies, to go beyond the realm of technicians and scientists because the entire population is concerned.” 

United on and off the field 

Young people were central to the week’s events, with many participants pledging to spread awareness in their communities. “Given what I have learned on this topic, I can raise awareness among my peers, whether close or distant, about antimicrobial resistance,” said Mbang Kevin, a student and footballer. 

University student Abdoulrahmane Ali Al-Ikhedir highlighted the unique role of youth in advocacy efforts. “When it comes to raising awareness, young people are a key stakeholder, and since we are always in contact with the population, it is very relevant and important for us to participate in these activities,” he said. 

Only 17 African countries have functional AMR surveillance systems for humans, animals, and the environment. Less than half of African countries have fully implemented national AMR action plans, leaving significant gaps in response. 

The stakes are high: over 90 percent of bacterial infections in African hospitals, such as pneumonia and bloodstream infections, show some resistance to antibiotics. If left unaddressed, AMR could cost Africa $1.35 trillion annually in lost GDP by 2050. 

Despite these challenges, the event in Yaounde demonstrated how young people can be powerful advocates for change. The football tournament was more than just a game—it was a call to action to communities across Africa to tackle AMR through awareness, education, and collaboration. 

Through teamwork on and off the field, the fight against antimicrobial resistance can save millions of lives.