In celebration of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee, Nigeria will serve as the proud host of two prominent West African sporting events for the deaf community: the 13th West Africa Deaf Football Championship and the 3rd edition of the West Africa Deaf Athletics Competition. Both tournaments will take place at Abuja’s MKO Abiola National Stadium from August 18 to 30.
At a press briefing held in Lagos, West Africa Deaf Sports Union (WADSU) president, Amuda Yusuf, shared that the competitions are being organized not only to promote regional excellence but also to screen and select standout athletes and national squads for top-tier global events such as the Deaflympics, All Africa Deaf Games, and the Confederation of Africa Deaf Football Championship.
Yusuf further emphasized that initiatives like these are crucial for advancing inclusion and fostering unity among deaf athletes across the region. He mentioned that participating in such events opens doors for deaf sportspeople to feature in national contests like school tournaments and state-level games, giving them a platform to shine, earn, and gain much-needed visibility.
He also thanked the National Sports Commission for approving the use of the stadium facilities in Abuja and extended appreciation to ECOWAS for the financial grants provided to support the tournaments. However, Yusuf noted that “funds with which WADSU are organising the events were limited,” and called on more sponsors and partners to support the mission.
Currently, Nigeria holds the titles in both deaf football and athletics, and will aim to maintain their winning streak when the contests begin in August. Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Ige-Jenyo Olawale, announced that Nigerian athletes will undergo a 14-day training camp ahead of the competitions. The athletes will be housed within the Package B section of the MKO Abiola Stadium in preparation for the games, where Nigeria is expected to field the largest team.
Twelve West African countries—including Liberia, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Niger—have officially confirmed their participation. However, while Ghanaian athletes will compete in athletics, they have opted out of the football championship.
This year’s football tournament marks the fourth time that Nigeria will play host to the West Africa Deaf Football Championship, solidifying the country’s central role in promoting deaf sports in the region.
