Nigeria Hosts First-Ever African Gender Inclusive Tournament To Commemorate ECOWAS At 50.

By Ferdinand Olise

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has today March 4, 2025, announced the 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration.

The announcement which was made at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters, Abuja was in line with the 50th Anniversary celebration of the ECOWAS.

The event which will take place from March 6 to 8, 2025, at the Velodrome, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja will mark Nigeria’s first time hosting of such a memorable event.

The Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, Ambassador Francis Chuks Njoaguani, highlighted the tournament’s role in regional unity and cultural preservation.

Also, the Deputy Director of Federations at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Madame Ikawa Mbora,
reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deliver a world-class event.

Meanwhile, for the first time, female wrestlers will compete, underscoring ECOWAS’s commitment to gender inclusion.
The ceremony will also have eleven ECOWAS member States participate, with matches daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The finals will take place on March 8, with the winning team receiving $10,000, and gold medalists earning $2,500.