ECOWAS Traditional Wrestling Tournament to Hold in Dakar

21 June 2013
press release

Abuja - Nigeria — Defending champion Senegal will seek to extend its dominance of the regional wrestling scene and retain its title during the sixth edition of the annual ECOWAS Wrestling tournament which opens in Dakar, the country's capital on 26th June 2013. Wrestlers from 14 Member States are participating in the four day event, one of the two traditional wrestling events hosted by the ECOWAS Commission. Niger hosted the first series of event which was concluded on 8th June 2013 in Niamey and won by Senegal.

Cape Verde is the only Member State that is not participating in the Dakar event.

The Niamey tournament was historic as it was the first time that doping tests were integrated into the tournament while an ECOWAS Monitoring and Evaluation system was introduced for referees to help improve the quality of officiating during the tournaments.

Both tournaments are organized in conjunction with the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre and seek to promote the integration of ECOWAS citizens through sports with the aim of achieving the ECOWAS Vision 20:20 of making ECOWAS people oriented.

The Director of the center, Mr. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, in an earlier press conference to mark the beginning of the wrestling season, stressed that this event is aimed at promoting traditional wrestling in Member States. He highlighted the need for officials to work as a team and encouraged female and younger upcoming referees for the benefit as well as the capacity development of the ECOWAS region in the sport.

He also called on the referees and match officials to be fair and just in their officiating, reminding them that their decisions will be subject to much scrutiny. He stressed that a competition is as good as its officiating and therefore urged them to put in their best for the success of the event.

Wrestlers are expected to arrive the Country from 25th June for the Dakar event which will be held in five different weight categories- 66kg, 76kg, 86 kg, 100kg and 120kg.

Senegal, winners of the 5th edition of the tournament, will defend its regional title against major contenders like, Niger, Nigeria, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Togo and Republic of Benin. Defending champion Senegal will seek to extend its dominance of the regional wrestling scene and retain its title during the sixth edition of the annual ECOWAS Wrestling tournament which opens in Dakar, the country's capital on 26th June 2013. Wrestlers from 14 Member States are participating in the four day event, one of the two traditional wrestling events hosted by the ECOWAS Commission. Niger hosts the second event whose ninth edition was concluded on 8th June 2013 in Niamey and won by Senegal.

Cape Verde is the only Member State that is not participating in the Dakar event.

The Niamey tournament was historic as it was the first time that doping tests were integrated into the tournament while an ECOWAS Monitoring and Evaluation system was introduced for referees to help improve the quality of officiating during the tournaments.

Both tournaments are organized in conjunction with the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre and seek to promote the integration of ECOWAS citizens through sports with the aim of achieving the ECOWAS Vision 20:20 of making ECOWAS people oriented.

The Director of the center, Mr. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, in an earlier press conference to mark the beginning of the wrestling season, stressed that this event is aimed at promoting traditional wrestling in Member States. He highlighted the need for officials to work as a team and encouraged female and younger upcoming referees for the benefit as well as the capacity development of the ECOWAS region in the sport.

He also called on the referees and match officials to be fair and just in their officiating, reminding them that their decisions will be subject to much scrutiny. He stressed that a competition is as good as its officiating and therefore urged them to put in their best for the success of the event.

Wrestlers are expected to arrive the Country from 25th June for the Dakar event which will be held in five different weight categories- 66kg, 76kg, 86 kg, 100kg and 120kg.

H.E Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, President of the ECOWAS Commission is expected to grace the closing ceremony.

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