The 13th edition of the ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament, co-hosted by ECOWAS and the National Sports Commission, concluded in spectacular fashion at the Velodrome MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Saturday. The event was characterized by scintillating cultural displays and thrilling traditional wrestling bouts, showcasing the rich heritage of the participating nations.
Senegal emerged as the overall champions, securing three gold medals and one silver. Nigeria followed closely in second place, achieving two gold medals and one silver, while Benin Republic finished third with one silver and one bronze.
The Nigerian success was highlighted by the impressive performances of wrestlers Ebipatei Lienbofa and Ebi Bigos, who clinched gold in the women’s 66kg and 76kg categories, respectively. National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko acknowledged the significant contributions of female athletes to the nation’s sporting achievements. In his closing remarks, he emphasized the resilience and determination displayed by the female wrestlers throughout the tournament.
“Today is women’s day, and we are proud as a Commission and, indeed, the entire country, of the doggedness and resilience of our female wrestlers in this tournament,” Mallam Dikko stated. He praised their consistent success in winning medals, highlighting their critical role in the nation’s sports landscape.
He further noted that the performance of the female wrestlers aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and shared prosperity vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in promoting sports. Dikko assured continued collaboration with all stakeholders to enhance youth engagement through sports, emphasizing the National Sports Commission’s commitment to work closely with the Ministry of Youth Development.
The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony, where medals, trophies, and cash prizes were distributed. Senegal, as the overall winners, took home $10,000, followed by Nigeria with $6,000, while Benin Republic received $3,000 for their third-place finish.
This year’s ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament not only highlighted the athletic prowess of the participants but also served as a celebration of cultural unity and sportsmanship among the nations involved.
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