Abuja — Twelve countries including host, Nigeria, are to compete for honours in four different sports in the inaugural edition of the under-23 Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Games which will hold in Abuja, starting from Sunday. The four sports are athletics, handball, volleyball and Africa traditional wrestling.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr. Peter Nelson, said the regional championship is being organised in line with ECOWAS' vision 2020 to build member countries' economies, stressing that the games will also offer member countries extra opportunity to build future sporting elite and foster unity among the West Africa sub- region.

Nelson stated further that nine sub-committee has been constituted to ensure a hitch free event. He said having worked tirestlessly with members of the LOC to ensure school pupils, market women and residents of FCT, are well mobilised for the game. The game is expected to help member countries identify talents and showcase them at the Under-23 level.

Already, four countries including Cote d'voire, Togo, Mali, and Niger, have arrived, while others are expected this morning ahead of the opening ceremony scheduled for Sunday at the National Stadium, Abuja.