Zambia has withdrawn as host of the next All-Africa Games in 2011 because of the global financial crisis.
Zambia's information minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha, cited predictions the government would not earn as much from copper and cobalt as had been anticipated two years ago when Lusaka was awarded the games.
Samuel Matete, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles and 1991 world champion from Zambia, expressed disappointment but says the decision makes sense given the state of global finances.
The 2007 All-Africa Games were held in Algiers, Algeria.
There was no immediate decision on which country would take over as host of the 2011 event.
