The Games, which opened on May 22, has seen more than 2,500 athletes from 54 countries competing in Botswana's capital.

Bach visited the teenagers in the Athletes Village and has attended several events, including fencing, the sport he won an Olympic gold medal at Montreal in 1976.

He was impressed by what he saw at an event that is due to finish later today. 

"You can complain about organisation, you can complain about accommodation, transport," said Bach. 

"But if you look at the fire in the athletes eyes, you look at the bright future of Africa.

"You see ambitious and happy young athletes who know what they have done.

"Who have ambitions, who know that they have to work hard for their future.

"Who are ready to work for their future."

IOC President Thomas Bach met Egyptian competitors taking part in the 2nd African Youth Games at the Athletes Village in Gaborone ©Getty Images

Earlier, Bach had encouraged the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the International Federations to continue to work hard to foster Olympism on the continent.

"This is what it's about," he told them.

"This is what we all have to work for.

"To make their [athletes] dreams come true.

"To make sure that the development of sport can happen all over the world.

"And that Africa can lead by example.

"Not only through the athletes but also the future of athletes we are seeing here in these very Games.

"And this is why I'm confident that we will continue corporation within International Olympic Committee and ANOCA (Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa)  to strengthen and bring more development of the sport and to the athletes."

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