ECOWAS Wrestling Championship Kick Off in Dakar

ECOWAS Wrestling Championship Kick Off in Dakar

By Pa Modou Faal in Dakar

The second edition of the ECOWAS Wrestling Championship has official kicked off in Dakar yesterday at the Stadium Iba Mar Diop with 11 countries participating in the competition includingSenegal The Gambia, Burkina Faso Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, Mali, Niger ,Ivory coast, Guinea Bissauand Guinea Conakry

Speaking in an interview with Pointsports, Mr. Sammuel Mogaji program Officer ICT Training and Capacity building ECOWAS Youth and Sports based in Burkina Faso, said the programme is in two parts. One is aimed at bringing integration within the Sub Region and also to develop traditional wrestling as an African contribution to International Sports.

He stated that the wrestling will be in five categories 65kg 75kg 85kg less than 100 and plus 100.

He revealed that there will individual competitions and team events, adding that for the individual there are prizes. First will receive 1million CFA, 2nd 500.000CFA and 3rdprize is 250.000 CFA. For the team competition the prizes are as follows 1st is 2.5million CFA, 2nd 1.5 million CFA and 3rdis 750.000CFA and Trophies.

Mr. Mogali said at the level of ECOWAS they want to organise a similar competition for the women of member countries.

He called on member countries to involve Women Wrestling in their National activities.

The Gambia delegation headed by Mr. Matarr Jarju comprises of the following wrestlers:

Haruna Bojang, Tinboy, Musa Sarr, Sareteh and Mafoday Sarr.

The wrestling, which startedyesterday, is expected to end on Sunday and is expected to be graced by the permanent secretary department of youth and sports Mr, Mamanyick Njie.

Participating countries have been divided into the following three groups Group A: Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo. Group B: Nigeria, The Gambia, Liberia and Mali. Group C: Niger, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry.