STADIUM; PEOPLE ENTER; PRESIDENT ARRIVES; CROWDS; DRUMMERS; BOY SCOUTS; PRESIDENT AND MOUSSA KEITA; PROCESSION; DANCERS; ATHLETES; CYCLISTS.




Initials GHB/VS/JB/SS



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Background: IN JUNE EACH YEAR, ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE SIX REGIONS OF BAMAKO ASSEMBLE IN THE MALI CAPITAL TO TAKE PART IN ATHLETIC AND CULTURAL COMPETITIONS. THIS YEAR, THE SEVENTH YOUTH WEEK WAS OPENED BY PRESIDENT MOBIDO KEITA IN THE PRESENCE OF MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE INCLUDING INVITED GUESTS FROM VARIOUS AFRICAN COUNTRIES, EUROPEAN SOCIALIST NATIONS AND CUBA.

THE DISPLAY TOOK PLACE IN THE VAST NEW MOBIDO KEITA STADIUM, OPENED LAST DECEMBER AND NAMED AFTER THE PRESIDENT, AND CONTINGENTS FROM MANY YOUTH ORGANISATIONS MARCHED PAST. THE PRESIDENT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS BROTHER MOUSSA KEITA, HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR YOUTH AND SPORT.

BANNERS DISPLAYED BY THE PARADING CONTINGENTS PROCLAIMED SLOGANS ON THE THEME OF - "FIGHT FOR THE REVOLUTION." YOUTH WEEK COMBINES ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE COUNTRY'S NEW GENERATION. AMONG THE SCHEDULED EVENTS ARE PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS ON THE "STATE OF THE REVOLUTION" AND ON SUITABLE MEASURES OF ITS ADVANCEMENT.

LAST YEAR'S YOUTH WEEK WAS FOLLOWED ON AUGUST 22 BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE REVOLUTION.