Commemoration of the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Burkina Faso
Commemoration of the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Burkina Faso
From 21 May to 2 June 2023, a series of educational and sporting activities was organised in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, a series of educational and sporting activities were organised to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the theme ‘Towards Shared Prosperity’.
As part of these celebrations, the ECOWAS Centre for Youth and Sports Development (CDJS/ECOWAS) collaborated with the ECOWAS Representation in Burkina Faso, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad, and several Burkinabè sports federations to organise the programme.
Activities included the ECOWAS Cycling Grand Prix, the 9th edition of the football academy tournament, a boxing gala, an international pétanque tournament, a panel discussion on the free movement of goods and people, and an inter-school public speaking and debating competition in Ouagadougou, which aimed to raise the profile of ECOWAS amongst pupils and to instil in them, in addition to public speaking skills, the values of peace, tolerance and civic-mindedness for the prosperity of the community.
On 27 May, the boxing gala organised by the Centre for Youth and Sports Development (CDJS) took place at the Armed Forces Sports Union centre. The programme featured 10 amateur bouts under the technical supervision of the Burkinabe Boxing Federation. It was an unmissable event to celebrate the 48th anniversary of ECOWAS, which was founded on 28 May 1975.
Sport is a vehicle for community development. Beyond its therapeutic benefits in the field of health, it contributes to the pacification of societies in crisis, to economic development and to regional integration. Building on this, the CDJS, as part of its policy to promote sport more generally across the ECOWAS region, organised numerous activities within this framework to mark the institution’s 48th anniversary.
The boxing gala, which took place on 26 May, brought together boxers from several weight categories under the technical supervision of the Burkinabe Boxing Federation (FBB). In a friendly atmosphere, the audience, made up of boxing enthusiasts, watched the various bouts, each consisting of three three-minute rounds. Through this event, the CDJS is helping to discover new talent and strengthen the skills of those involved. This is why the president of the FBB, Jérémie Bouda, praised the ongoing commitment of the CDJS and its director, Francis Chuks Njoaguani, to promoting sport, particularly boxing.
At the end of the bouts, Dabingo Samadou won the 54 kg category, beating Sawadogo R Hamed. Nao Souleymane won the 57 kg category, Kiendrebéogo Romuald the 63.5 kg category, Ouédraogo Oumarou in the 67 kg category, Ouédraogo Yacouba in the second 67 kg category, Dabo Inoussa in the 71 kg category, Konaté Kalifa in the 75 kg category, Pagbelem Ousmane in the 81 kg category, Sini Yacouba in the 92 kg category and Wandaogo Yacouba in the 91 kg category.
The closing ceremony featured the presentation of prizes.
