By Olokuta Rofiat
Abuja will host the 13th West Africa Deaf Football Championship and the 3rd West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship from August 18 to 31, 2025, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.
The twin championship, organized by the West Africa Deaf Sports Union (WADSU), will feature athletes from 12 West African countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Togo, Niger, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Conakry.
Competitions will include football matches and track events such as the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 4×100m, 4×400m, and mixed relays.
WADSU President, Amuda Yusuf Ibrahim, said the event will serve as a qualifying and scouting platform for global tournaments, including the Deaflympics, All Africa Deaf Games, and the Confederation of Africa Deaf Football Championship.
While Nigeria is providing stadium facilities, ECOWAS has also extended support, with organizers seeking additional sponsorships to ensure the smooth hosting of the tournament.
Officials emphasized that beyond showcasing sporting talent, the championships aim to foster inclusion, integration, and unity among persons with disabilities across West Africa.
