Sports

11 Countries Arrive Abuja For 13th ECOWAS Wrestling Tourney

Published

9 months ago

March 5, 2025

No fewer than 11 countries have arrived in Abuja for the 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament, set for March 6-8, at the Velodrome, Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The tournament is part of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.

The Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, Francis Njoaguani, stated this on Tuesday at a news conference.

He said that 55 athletes, comprising both male and female wrestlers, would compete in the highly anticipated tournament meant to foster unity and regional integration.

According to Njoaguani, the event will feature 11 out of the 12 ECOWAS member states, with 33 male and 22 female wrestlers taking part in individual and team competitions.

“Female wrestlers will compete in the 65kg and 75kg categories, while the male wrestlers will compete in the 85kg, 100kg, and 120kg categories.

“A total cash prize of 24,000 dollars is up for grabs, with 10,000 dollars for the winning team, 6,000 dollars for second place, and 3,000 dollars for third place.

“Individual wrestlers can win between 1,000 dollars and 2,500 dollars based on their performance,” he stated.

A Deputy Director at the National Sports Commission, Ikana Mbora, emphasised the significance of Nigeria hosting the flagship wrestling tournament for the first time.

She assured that the NSC, as a key partner in the event, would ensure seamless competition in accordance with international best practices.

Olufemi Ajao of the NSC and former Secretary of the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria said that security and logistics arrangements had been finalised to ensure a successful tournament.

He urged Abuja residents to turn out in large numbers to witness traditional wrestling at its best.

“This will be the best-organised tournament in the competition’s history, so I encourage everyone to come and experience the best of regional African wrestling,” he said.

The tournament marks a historic milestone as Nigeria hosts the event for the first time, which was previously held in Senegal and Niger.

The countries participating in the tournament include Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and hosts Nigeria.

NAN also reports that regional leaders had in September 2000 officially adopted African wrestling as an ECOWAS sport and aimed to popularise it for regional integration and Olympic Games status.

African wrestling, a traditional style of West African folk wrestling, is known as Laamb in Senegal, Boreh in The Gambia, and Kokowa in Nigeria and Niger.

NAN

Sports

EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Dimitar Berbatov, has named the team that could “surprise” Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners are now six points clear of second-placed Chelsea, thanks to their 4-1 demolition of Tottenham on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s men could extend that lead to nine points, when they travel to face the Blues this weekend.

Berbatov has now said he expects Arsenal to be “really tested” over the hectic festive period and says their title credentials will become clearer in the New Year.

“Of course Liverpool are low in the table and Man City are dropping points, but there are other teams like Chelsea who can surprise people,” Berbatov told ESPN.

“Six points is a good cushion but in the Premier League it’s nothing and can go very quickly.”

Sports

Champions League: Arteta Gives Arsenal Injury Updates Ahead Bayern Munich Clash

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has given injury updates on his squad ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

The Gunners have won their first four matches in the competition without conceding a single goal.

Arteta’s men will be looking to continue their perfect start with a win over Bayern at the Emirates.

Arsenal could have captain Martin Odegaard back for the game, alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke.

“Yeah they are [Madueke and Martinelli in contenton to start] and we’re going to have a meeting now to decide on Martin [Odegaard],” Arteta told reporters today.

“He was very close for the previous game.

“We are confident he can be in the squad as well.”