NAIROBI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The African Hockey Federation (AfHF) is hopeful that the return of the sport at the continent's Youth Games in Algeria will spur its development across the region.

Ahmed Azmy, the African Hockey Federation CEO, says he expects a strong competition with many top countries battling it out in the five-day competition, with the winners qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October.

Speaking to Xinhua, Azmy said developing hockey across Africa is part of their long-term goal, which is why the program is being launched in Algeria, where the sport has historically not been widely played.

The African Youth Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years, with this year's competition taking place in Algiers from July 19 to 28.

"For the AfHF, this is an important step because hockey had been left out of the multi-sport games since 2003 and this year it is coming back after a 15 year absence," said Azmy in Nairobi on Wednesday.

"Multi-sport events are very important because the National Olympic Committees are liable for funding the participating teams in all sports, which for hockey will incentivize national associations to participate in such events."

AfHF is keen to introduce the sport to schools and enable children to have the option of playing the sport when they are still young. Azmy said it was important to have strong youth structures and competitions to help grow the sport and raise awareness in local schools in the continent.

"This third edition of the Youth Africa Games is expected to attract many national associations to participate, as well as create momentum for the young generation in Africa to get more engaged with hockey as a sport. The AfHF intends to follow up the progress of this program by visiting Algeria and other countries launching the sport on regular basis," said Azmy.

With Algeria using the Youth Games to drive its hockey development, the continental governing body hopes other countries will take a cue from it and start to offer young players a chance to develop in the sport.

"One of the motivations for building a hockey culture in Algeria is the reinstatement of hockey back into the Youth Africa Games," he said.

The continent has always had its Youth Olympic Games qualifying event away from the Africa Youth Games, but the decision to merge the two will boost the quality of players who will arrive in Algiers eyeing medals.

Hockey development activities will not cease after the Africa Youth Games but will be spread to other countries.

"After the games, a second phase of the program will take another six-month period. Coaches will be sent to four other countries to train schools' physical education teachers who will in turn train the students to spread hockey all over Africa," said Azmy.