This comes after Africans collectively won a record haul of 45 medals at last month's Games in Rio de Janeiro, albeit with a slightly lower number of 10 golds in comparison to the 13 at Beijing 2008 and 12 at London 2012.

ANOCA distributed funding worth $607,000 (£404,000/€574,000) to athletes competing in the Brazilian city and are already vowing to imrpove upon this in four years time.

"ANOCA on its part will take a good number of actions to ensure that Africa is fully prepared for the Tokyo Games," Palenfo said in an interview published on the ANOCA website.

"Already, I intend to propose to member NOCs that the package allocated by our institution to this end be increased and released much earlier. 

"Besides, NOCs must take advantage of Olympic Solidarity funds to conceive ambitious and realistic sport development projects in their respective countries. 

"Governments must not continue banking on team sports only, football especially, but on other sports as well. 

"It should not be lost on us that the medal count does not depend on the number of players, that each victory equals just one medal."

Palenfo, the Ivorian who has led ANOCA since 2005, claims it is not too early to begin focusing on Tokyo.

"It is just around the corner," he declared. 

"If we intend to build on our achievements and especially improve the Rio 2016 performance, now is the time to start bracing up for Tokyo 2020.

"Various sports stakeholders must understand that the Olympics are prepared for at least four years and not for a few months. 

"Governments, NOCs and national sports federations must work in synergy to prepare for Tokyo 2020 in a concerted manner."

Africa won 62 per cent of their Rio 2016 medals in athletics in what marked a lower percentage than at previous Games.

Other sports, such as taekwondo, also produced golden success.

A first challenge could come at an ANOCA General Assembly scheduled for November 17.