The 13th edition of the ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament ended at the Velodrome MKO Abiola National Stadium on Saturday with panache. Scintillating, well-choreographed cultural displays and breathtaking traditional wrestling bouts highlighted the glitzy evening.
Senegal emerged overall winners with three gold and one silver while Nigeria (two gold and one silver) and Benin Republic (one silver, one bronze) finished second and third respectively.
Nigeria’s second-place was down to gold medals won by Ebipatei Lienbofa and Ebi Bigos in the women’s 66kg and 76kg respectively, a development which did not go unnoticed by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko.
While declaring the tournament closed, Dikko noted the fact that female athletes had contributed immensely to the nation’s past sporting exploits and had taken that trend to the ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament.
He said, “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.
“Over the years, the women have always come to our aid and have done the same at this tournament. We salute our sports women. Where could we have been without them.”
He emphasised that the performance of those female wrestlers is a clear testament to the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in sports.
The chairman further assured of a well sustained collaboration with all stakeholders in every aspect of sports adding particularly buttressing the preparedness of the NSC to synergise with the Ministry of Youth Development in engaging the youths positively through sports.
He said: “Mr President has given us a clear directive that there should be proper collaboration with agencies of government which has to do with developing youths and sports.
“We will put our energy together so as to get our youths productively engaged in sports, so that we can have that feel-good factor of doing sport and also staying healthy.
“You can see the money the people participating in the tournament are earning. We can really empower our youths through sports.”
He hinted that Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in investing in Nigeria’s sport, particularly its traditional sports, which according to him, underscores the essence of collaboration.
An elated Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, was thrilled with the abundance of sporting talents in the country and promised to collaborate with NSC Chairman to ensure that Nigerian youths realized their sporting potentials.
“I am so proud to associate with the Chairman of NSC, let me assure you that we are determined to work together in making sure that we revive different sporting activities as well as our sports infrastructure for the benefit of all”, he said.
In her remarks, Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs ECOWAS Commission, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, represented by Amb. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, thanked Nigerian government for hosting the tournament and urged all participants to carry forward the values of unity, resilience, and excellence that they all celebrated in the three days impactful event.
The highpoint of the tournament was the award of medals, trophies and cash prizes. As the overall winners, Senegal smiled home with $10,000, followed by Nigeria with the sum of $6,000, while third-placed Benin pocketed $3,000.
Also present were Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, and former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Sen. Shehu Sani.
FINAL RESULTS
A- TEAM CATEGORY
1. SÉNÉGAL
2. NIGÉRIA
3. BÉNIN
4. GUINÉE
B- WEIGHT CATEGORY
– 66KG (WOMEN)
1. EBIPATEI LIENBOFA ( NIGÉRIA)
2. SAFIETOU GOUDIABY (SÉNÉGAL)
3. BAKOYOKO CÉLINE JOSEE (COTE D’ I’VOIRE)
4. MARIAMA FOULA KABA ( GUINÉE)
– 76KG (WOMEN)
1. EBI BIGOS (NIGERIA)
2. YOUIN AMY (COTE D’ IVOIRE)
3. BODJRENOU ROSINE (BENIN)
4. KOUMBA DIOUMA SOW (GUINÉE)
– 86 KG (MEN)
1. SINY SEMBENE (SÉNÉGAL)
2. BONI ILIASSOU (BÉNIN)
3. MUSA ABDALAHI (NIGERIA)
4. LAGO GUY ALAIN
– 100KG (MEN)
1. GORA NIANG (SÉNÉGAL)
2. CAETANO ANTONIO (GUINÉE BISSAU)
3. BADARO ESSO (TOGO)
4. YACOUBOU SADATH (BENIN)
– 120KG (MEN)
1. NGAGNE SENE (SÉNÉGAL)
2. GINO N’TCHALAH (GUINÉE BISSAU)
3. ISSAH FOUSSEINI (GHANA)
4. INOUSSA ISLAM DINE (BENIN)
