Credit: The Trumpetng
The ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament (TOLAC 2025) was held at the Velodrome MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria from March 6 to 8, during which a total of 55 athletes from 11 countries competed for top honours, with each nation represented by five wrestlers and four technical officials. It is organised on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by its Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) in collaboration with Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC).
This TOLAC, the 13th in the series, is highly significant as it coincides with the golden jubilee of the ECOWAS. The championship featured well-choreographed cultural displays and breathtaking traditional match-ups. What’s more? It’s the first time that a division will be created for female wrestlers in the tournament with prizes in tow, an affirmation of the unwavering commitment of the regional bloc to gender equality and social progress. The conclusion of TOLAC 2025 on International Women’s Day has been hailed as not just a coincidence but an indication of ECOWAS’ commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment in sports.
Traditional wrestling is popular in West Africa, especially in Senegal, The Gambia, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Togo where the sport is more organized with national tournaments, federations and arenas. Nigeria won the first ECOWAS tournament held in Dakar in 2008. Sportblot observes that TOLAC witnessed a transformation in 2013 when it adopted modern techniques and rules such as doping tests for wrestlers.
However, the organisers have continued to allow fighters wear amulets, and charms to bouts and recite metaphysical incantations for victory because African traditional religion is an integral aspect of the sport. Several other national and regional wrestling tournaments have been in existence besides that of ECOWAS which started in 2008.
However, the French-speaking West African countries have continued to dominate the competition. The Le Championnat d’Afrique de lutte traditionnelle (African Traditional Wrestling Championship) is the oldest regional traditional wrestling tournament held since 1995. In this year’s TOLAC, all ECOWAS member states barring Cape Verde competed in both individual and team events under five different weight categories – 66kg, 76kg, 86 kg, 100kg and 120kg.
Rules of the Sport
The TOLAC competitions are governed by well-laid rules: two fighters wearing loincloths face off in a 20-meter circle filled with sand. They are however allowed to enter the ring in style with praise singers and an entourage showing off the gravitas of the wrestler and intimidate their opponents.
Bouts last about 12 minutes and a fighter loses once they fall or even touch the ground with a knee. In a situation where neither wrestler falls to the ground, both lose the match except in the final where the bout continues until there is a winner. Punching, biting and grabbing the loincloth are prohibited. Officials also undergo training ahead of the tournament and judges have the opportunity to watch videos of fights to determine whether a fighter has cheated.
Meanwhile, to motivate athletes and elevate the esteem of the championship, ECOWAS introduced significant cash prizes which see the winning team receive $10,000, the second-place team $6,000, and the third-place team $3,000. Individual winners will also be rewarded, with gold medalists receiving $2,500, silver medalists $1,500, and bronze medalists $1,000.
Final Results
Credit: Ecoroadsgroup
At the end of the fights, Senegal were crowned the champions with three gold and one silver. Nigeria’s two gold and one silver earned the hosts the first runners-up position while Benin Republic emerged third with one silver, one bronze. Ebipatei Lienbofa of (Nigeria) and Ebi Bigos (Nigeria) secured victory in the 66kg and 76kg women’s weight classes, respectively, while Siny Sembene (Senegal), Gora Niang (Senegal), and Ngagne Sene (Senegal) triumphed in the 86kg, 100kg, and 120kg men’s divisions.
A - TEAM CATEGORY
Sénégal
Nigéria
Bénin
Guinéa
B- WEIGHT CATEGORY
– 66kg (women)
Ebipatei Lienbofa (Nigéria)
Safietou Goudiaby (Sénégal)
Bakoyoko Céline Josee (Cote d’Ivoire)
Mariama Foula Kaba (Guinéa)
– 76kg (women)
Ebi Bigos (Nigeria)
Youin Amy (Cote d’Ivoire)
Bodjrenou Rosine (Benin)
Koumba Diouma Sow (Guinéa)
– 86 kg (men)
Siny Sembene (Sénégal)
Boni Iliassou (Bénin)
Musa Abdalahi (Nigeria)
Lago Guy Alain
– 100kg (men)
Gora Niang (Sénégal)
Caetano Antonio (Guinéa Bissau)
Badaro Esso (Togo)
Yacoubou Sadath (Benin)
– 120 kg (men)
Ngagne Sene (Sénégal)
Gino N’tchalah (Guinée Bissau)
Issah Fousseini (Ghana)
Inoussa Islam Dine (Benin)
Credit: AFP
Conclusion
Beyond the intense fights, TOLAC 2025 provided a powerful diplomatic platform for dialogue, regional cooperation, and peace-building given the recent friction in ECOWAS that culminated in the breakaway of three countries. Run by military juntas, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali all left the regional bloc earlier this year after years of deteriorating relations with ECOWAS. It is unfortunate that despite all the talks about uniting West Africa, none of the three Sahel countries sent fighters to this year´s TOLAC.
Be that as it may, the tournament has proven to be an avenue for athletes, officials, and stakeholders to expose the role of sports in economic development, youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and cultural diplomacy. As noted by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, TOLAC 2025 underscores that wrestling is not just a competitive discipline but a unifying force that reinforces the regional bloc’s core values of regional cooperation, cultural exchange, and social cohesion. This is even as traditional wrestling remains a fundamental aspect of African heritage, symbolizing resilience, discipline and healthy rivalry.
