The event was an opportunity for athletes and sports agents to learn more about planning for a career following their retirement from professional sport.

A number of countries have held similar events with the Cape Verde meeting held within the framework of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Athlete Career Programme.

Two Olympians, Portugal's Susana Feitor and Mali's Kadidiatou Kanoute Tounkara, conducted proceedings.

Feitor, a racewalker, competed at five Olympic Games from Barcleona 1992 onwards while basketball player Tounkara is a member of the Athletes' Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

They both shared their knowledge and experience with the participants, which included the chair of the COC's Athletes' Commission, sprinter Isménia Frederico.

Cape Verde will reportedly play host to a secretary generals seminar of ANOCA in October.

According to the national Inforpress news agency, the COC were awarded the annual event in front of rival bids from Tanzania and Ethiopia.

COC President Filomena Fortes claims the event is a major coup for the nation and a key step towards eventually being awarded hosting rights for the African Beach Games. 

Cape Verde has sent athletes to every Summer Olympic Games held since 1996, although they have never won an Olympic medal.

A five-strong team competed in the sports of athletics, boxing, rhythmic gymnastics and taekwondo at Rio 2016.