Nigeria to Host West Africa Deaf Sports Competitions in Celebration of ECOWAS 50th Anniversary

As part of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria will host two major regional sporting events for deaf athletes — the 13th West Africa Deaf Football Tournament and the 3rd West Africa Deaf Athletics Championships. Both competitions are scheduled to take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja from August 18 to 30, Saturday Sport360NG reports.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, President of the West Africa Deaf Sports Union (WADSU), Amuda Yusuf, stated that the events will serve as qualification platforms for upcoming global competitions such as the Deaflympics, the All Africa Deaf Games, and the Confederation of Africa Deaf Football Championship.

Yusuf emphasized the importance of these tournaments in promoting inclusion and integration of deaf athletes into mainstream sporting activities across the region. He highlighted their potential to provide visibility, income, and recognition for the athletes while enhancing participation in national events such as the National Sports Festival and school-level competitions.

He also thanked the National Sports Commission for granting access to the Abuja stadium and acknowledged ECOWAS for its financial support. However, he appealed for additional funding, citing limited resources available to WADSU for organizing the events.

Defending champions Nigeria will aim to retain their titles in both football and athletics when the competitions begin next month. According to Local Organising Committee Chairman Ige-Jenyo Olawale, Team Nigeria will begin preparations with a two-week training camp at Package B of the MKO Abiola Stadium ahead of the events. Nigeria is expected to present the largest team at the championships.

Twelve West African nations — including Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, Guinea, and Ivory Coast — have confirmed participation. However, Ghana will compete only in the athletics events and not in football.

This will mark the fourth time Nigeria is hosting the West Africa Deaf Football Tournament.