ECOWAS Advocates for Sports as a Catalyst for Regional Development

 

Ambassador Francis Njoaguani, the Director of Youth and Sports Development for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has emphasized the significant role of sports in promoting cooperation and unity among the twelve member states of ECOWAS. This statement was made during the opening of the 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament, which began on Thursday at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. 

The tournament featured 55 athletes from 11 participating countries, each represented by five wrestlers and four technical officials. Despite the absence of Cape Verde this year, Njoaguani highlighted that sports act as a formidable instrument for regional integration. “This initiative unites wrestlers from all our member states. It enhances collaboration among nations and exemplifies the unifying potential of sports. We are confident that this will bolster the integration efforts championed by ECOWAS,” Njoaguani remarked. He further pointed out that young individuals constitute 54 percent of the ECOWAS population, underscoring the crucial role that sports play in economic development and youth engagement. 

 The director noted that sports not only connect participants but also stimulate economic growth, with ECOWAS aiming to utilize the tournament to advance integration and youth development. “Sports not only connect participants but also stimulate economic growth. We intend to harness sports to disseminate the message of ECOWAS regarding integration and youth development, which are vital to our objectives of development and enhancement of human capital,” he stated. Additionally, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, reiterated the Commission’s dedication to utilizing sports as a means for youth empowerment, regional integration, and economic advancement.