Key points:
- First women’s division held at ECOWAS wrestling
- Female wrestlers push for inclusion in male-dominated sport
- Niger absent due to regional political tensions
LEGS poised and backs hunched, two wrestlers circled each other in Abuja’s soft sand arena, arms outstretched as they searched for a decisive grip. In an instant, the clash was over—one fighter hurled the other to the ground in a cloud of dust. It was a dramatic finish, but this bout marked more than just a win. It was history in the making.
This month’s ECOWAS traditional wrestling tournament in Nigeria’s capital wasn’t just about crowning champions. For the first time, the annual event included a women’s division, welcoming competitors from across the regional bloc. According to AFP, the milestone brought pride and excitement as women took centre stage in a sport traditionally dominated by men.
A new chapter for women wrestlers
‘Women know how to fight. We just had to be given a chance,’ said Celine Bakayoko, a 33-year-old competitor from Côt
e d’Ivoire, speaking to AFP. Although she only entered the professional arena in 2019, Bakayoko shared that wrestling had always been part of her life. ‘For us, it’s not a sport—it’s an innate practice,’ she added.
The inclusion of women in this year’s tournament is being hailed as a step forward. Fans, too, are taking notice. ‘They look serious,’ said Yussuff Fashola, a spectator. ‘They’re not just here to fill a gap.’
Challenges remain despite progress
For many female athletes, however, the road ahead remains difficult. Ghana’s Jocelyn Asante noted the lack of female teammates and sparring partners as a major hurdle. ‘To get other females on your team, to be able to train with them… that’s the challenge,’ she explained.
Yet the spirit of perseverance was strong. After her match, Liberia’s Garmai Sanghno found comfort in representing her nation, despite a defeat. ‘It’s an opportunity to develop skills,’ she said, focused on future bouts.
Niger’s absence felt on the sands of Abuja
One noticeable gap at this year’s competition was the absence of Niger. According to AFP, Niger—along with Burkina Faso and Mali—did not send any fighters after withdrawing from ECOWAS earlier this year. The split followed deteriorating relations with the bloc and the fallout from Niger’s July 2023 coup, which had led to economic sanctions and threats of military intervention from ECOWAS.
Though efforts have been made to repair ties, the absence of these countries cast a shadow over the sense of regional unity promoted at the tournament’s opening ceremony.
‘Sport is supposed to unify us, right?’ asked Fashola, lamenting the missing athletes over the cheers of the crowd during a men’s match. His sentiment was
echoed by Abdullahi Ahmed Libata, former secretary general of Nigeria’s Traditional Sports Federation. Libata grew up wrestling on sandy riverbanks in the dry season. ‘Niger are our neighbours, we love them,’ he said. ‘They are our people, we came up together.’
Hope for a unified future through sport
As women now take their place in West Africa’s wrestling rings, the hope is that sport can continue to bridge divides. Even as political tensions loom large, the wrestlers’ determination—both men and women—showcases the unifying spirit that traditional wrestling has long symbolised across the region.
