The 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament began on March 6, 2025, at the Velodrome, MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria. The event brings together wrestlers from 11 ECOWAS Member States and is notable for the first-time inclusion of female wrestlers. This change underscores ECOWAS' dedication to gender equality and promoting traditional sports as a unifying element in West Africa. The tournament is organized by the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) with Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), marking a significant part of ECOWAS’ 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, opened the tournament and praised ECOWAS for using sports to promote regional integration. He expressed pride in Nigeria hosting TOLAC for the first time and emphasized that traditional wrestling symbolizes shared heritage. "This tournament not only celebrates our shared identity but also provides an avenue for our athletes to excel, develop, and gain international recognition," he said.
Ambassador Francis Chuks Njoaguani represented the ECOWAS Commission and highlighted the event's role in youth development and gender inclusion. He stated, “For the first time in history, we welcome female athletes to this prestigious tournament, breaking barriers and setting a precedent for gender inclusivity in traditional sports.”
He further noted that traditional wrestling is seen as cultural heritage rather than just competition. "Sport is a powerful tool for peacebuilding, economic empowerment, and regional cooperation," he added.
The opening ceremony included a parade of athletes from 11 countries with their national flags and featured traditional wrestling demonstrations showcasing unique techniques from each country. Cultural performances celebrated artistic heritage through music from Nigerian and regional groups.
Matches began after the ceremony with competitions across various weight categories in a round-robin team elimination format leading up to finals on March 8. Significant cash prizes have been introduced: $10,000 for the winning team, $6,000 for second place, $3,000 for third place; individual gold medalists will receive $2,500.
Beyond competition aims include advancing development strategies such as global promotion of African sports to secure recognition and investment while creating job opportunities for athletes. Ambassador Njoaguani stressed sports' economic role urging investment from governments and private sectors.
ECOWAS has emphasized media coverage to maximize visibility across West Africa. They encourage telling stories of resilience emerging from competitions to ensure African wrestling's rightful global presence.
As TOLAC continues over coming days with expected exciting matches and cultural events it represents a major step forward in blending tradition with progress through strong representation gender inclusion commitment to culture preservation aiming lasting impact on African sports development.
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