By Joel Ajayi
With just two days to go, the excitement is reaching fever pitch. Nigeria is firmly in championship mode as it prepares to host the 14th African Armwrestling Championship, set to ignite on July 23, 2025, in Abuja.
As part of intensified preparations, Nigeria has welcomed Olegs Gantimurovs, one of the world’s most respected Master World Armwrestling Referees. His presence on ground underscores a commitment to global standards and fairness, as he takes the lead in the event’s officiating setup.
Also in Abuja for the landmark event are Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA), and the continental body’s Secretary—further underscoring the championship’s significance and Nigeria’s pivotal role in the sport’s growth across Africa.
The city is already buzzing as waves of international athletes begin to arrive. Representatives from over 20 African nations—including South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Togo, and Madagascar—are expected, with more than 400 athletes and officials confirmed, marking a record-breaking turnout for the competition.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC), chaired by Hon. Adeyinka Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, has assured that all logistics, venues, and accommodations are in place. Training centres are active, the Athletes’ Village is ready, and media crews are setting up for full-scale coverage.
Coming off a high from the last African Games—where Nigeria’s armwrestlers clinched 13 medals, including four golds—the nation is poised to make another powerful statement.
As the final countdown begins, the message is clear:
Nigeria is ready. The world is watching. The warriors have arrived.
