African Athletics President Kalkaba Malboum Has Passed Away
African athletics has been thrown into mourning following the reported death of Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum.
According to reports from Cameroonian media on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the long-serving sports administrator passed away in Yaoundé at the age of 75 after battling health challenges. The exact cause of death has not yet been officially disclosed.
Malboum was one of the most influential figures in African sports administration, serving as President of the CAA since 2003. He also held key leadership roles as President of the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Cameroon and was widely respected for his contribution to the growth of athletics across the continent.
His passing comes just days after he was absent from the CAA Council Meeting held in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the ongoing 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships due to health reasons. During the meeting, CAA Vice President Jackson Tuwei represented him and welcomed delegates.
Earlier this year, Malboum played a major role in Ghana securing hosting rights for the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana’s Sports Ministry in Accra.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the African sporting fraternity, with many describing him as a visionary leader whose legacy helped shape athletics development on the continent.
His death marks the end of an era for African athletics, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, dedication, and service to sports development in Africa.