Written by Izzy Carnwath
Mixed martial arts (MMA) competition was included as a performance sport in the rescheduled 2023 African Games, which just concluded on March 23 in Accra, Ghana, making it the stage for the groundbreaking first African Olympic Games. Added.
Official mixed martial arts teams from 11 African countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo and Uganda – competed from Sunday the 10th to Monday the 12th. Some teams, particularly the Sudanese team, overcame untold hardships to compete against a backdrop of war and turmoil in their homeland, made worse by delays in organizing the tournament.
Under the auspices of the World Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), the Amateur MMA Rules Tournament was held across four demonstration disciplines, with a total of 27 competitions on the program.Eight of these events were scheduled to be qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“MMA in the African Games'' will be broadcast from Bukom Stadium, Accra's iconic boxing arena, and will feature other martial arts and combat sports on the show, including the ongoing Olympic Boxing. The evening event, held in an outdoor arena (to avoid the blazing sun), attracted national and international audiences, as well as national media from across Africa.
The games were accompanied by lively African music, and celebratory dances broke out among those in attendance during the games and before the medal ceremony. Legendary Ghanaian boxer and multiple world champion Azuma Nelson, whose name is carved on the walls of the arena, came to show support for MMA with her fight and gave African He praised the opportunities for MMA athletes in the event.
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“Ninety-nine percent of the people who become champions come from poor backgrounds,” he said. For your family and to make this country proud.
“It's good to see young fighters coming out and trying to achieve something. We're happy to have them and to be able to push them… whether it's boxing or karate. It doesn’t matter… any sport where people come out to achieve something… you help him, you push him… to encourage him.”
At a luncheon with GAMMA President Alexander Engelhardt and Secretary-General Peter Stafford on Monday, the presidents of participating national federations echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of games in the development of the sport. The need for federations to come together and support each other was also promoted, especially with regard to the difficult political and economic conditions faced by many people in Africa.
In the end, Nigeria topped the medal list with 5 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals, followed by Mauritius in second place with 3 gold medals and 1 silver medal, followed by Togo (2, 0, 1) and Egypt. (1,000 pieces) followed. 1,1), Ivory Coast (1,1,1), Ghana (0,3,5), Benin (0,2,1), Burkina Faso (0,0,3). (See medalist names listed below). Unfortunately, the demonstration medals were not included in the official overall count, leading to media attention on how their inclusion would change the odds.
13th The Games were hosted by the African Union (AU), the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ANOCA), the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC) and the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA), which provided an auspicious event. It is a platform for a sport that is still seeking formal recognition at an international level.
GAMMA's vision is for mixed martial arts to be officially recognized as a sport internationally by the Olympic Movement and one day participate in the Olympic Games. Approval to participate in the African Games was an important milestone in the sport's quest for recognition.
This achievement is nothing short of laudable for African MMA athletes and federations as the sport continues to develop and grow across the continent. Officially recognized in Africa by the AASC, GAMMA has 20 recognized and active member federations across Africa, including the host federation that hosts the Ghana Mixed Martial Arts Association under the Ghana Olympic Committee.
Ghana National Olympic Committee President Ben Nnu-Mensah previously commented on the addition of mixed martial arts to the program, saying:
“Adding mixed martial arts to our sports program is a very positive sign that Africa is ready to welcome new sports and sports that are attracting great interest globally, not just in Ghana. There are many young people participating in MMA across Africa and these bouts are a great opportunity to witness some of Africa's best athletes competing in this exciting sport.”
GAMMA President Alexander Engelhard said: “The inclusion of MMA on the Olympic program at the African Games is a great first for the sport. This is a tribute to the development of MMA in Africa and the efforts of our members. It is also a great platform for African MMA athletes and will definitely encourage further growth.”
Izzy Carnwath has specialized in mixed martial arts public relations for approximately 15 years, representing governing bodies, private promoters, and athletes. She provides independent communications and sports management services to GAMMA as a client.
