ECOWAS Games makes giant leap

President of the ECOWAS Commission, James Victor Gbeho

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), at the Youth and Sports Development Center conference in Ouagadougou in June 2010, realizing the importance of sports and sports events on the youth, created the ECOWAS Games.

Previous competitions like the tennis tournament held in 1988 in Guinea-Bissau with a trophy presented by President Nino Viera; the 2nd edition of the 'Golden Sword' was hosted by Cote d'Ivoire in 1990. The tournament later travelled to Niger and Senegal among other host countries, and has had a positive influence on the youth of member states.

ECOWAS has also estimated that the creation of a multi-disciplinary sporting show piece, designed to attract the entire young sports men and women of member states.

'These periodical gatherings will constitute important moments of support, interaction and sharing of common values among the citizens of the community,' the Concept Note added.

The ECOWAS Commission, at the request of the Nigerian authorities, entrusted Nigeria with the organization of the first edition, currently underway in Abuja, Nigeria.

After the tourney, which would be organised every two years from this year, youth from the ECOWAS sub-region who are U-23 years will participate in the games and would b handed ECOWAS travel documents (ECOWAS Passport or ECOWAS travel certificate), and it will constitute a qualifying ground for sportsmen and women in view of their participation  in the African, among other expected results.

The maiden edition, which is expected to end this Sunday, has attracted 13 of the 15 member states including Ghana, to take part in disciplines like athletics, handball, volleyball and traditional wrestling.