The sporting world is mourning the loss of Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75 at his home in Yaoundé.

Tributes continue to pour in for the late Cameroonian sports administrator, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential and respected sports leaders.

World Athletics expressed deep sadness over his passing, with President Sebastian Coe describing Malboum as “a man of determination and kindness.”

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei highlighted his remarkable impact, saying his “dedication, wisdom, and passion for athletics greatly transformed and elevated the sport across the African continent.”

Before rising to prominence as an administrator, Malboum had a distinguished military career. In the 1970s, he represented Cameroon as an athlete, competing in sprinting, long jump, and relay events.

He would later dedicate nearly three decades of his life to the development of athletics, sports governance, and the broader Olympic movement across Africa.

At the time of his death, he was serving as president of several major sports organisations, including the International Military Sports Council, Cameroon’s National Olympic and Sports Committee, and the Association of African Olympic Sports Confederations.

He was also a council member of World Athletics.

Under his leadership, African athletics witnessed significant growth, marked by expanded development programmes and greater representation for African athletes on the global stage.

His passing comes as the African Senior Athletics Championships are underway in Accra, Ghana an event he was scheduled to attend.