#development

Niamkey elected to Advisory Board of the International Council for Coaching Excellence

Friday, February 2, 2024 - 14:28 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 2) -- Deqa NIAMKEY, United World Wrestling's Development Director, has been elected as a Board Member of the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) by the ICCE General Assembly during the 14th ICCE Global Coach Conference in Singapore.

"I am honored to join such a distinguished organization, working to enhance the coaching education pathways with renowned experts. UWW is working to establish a coaches certification program in collaboration with worldwide universities. Being a member of the ICCE advisory board will provide me with the tools to implement this exciting project," said Niamkey. "I would like to thank our President, Mr. Nenad Lalovic, for his trust and endorsement and ASOIF for their continued support."

Niamkey will serve in office for two years (2024-2025), with an option to be re-elected by the General Assembly in Athens in 2025.

More information on ICCE:
The mission of the ICCE is to lead and support the development of sport coaching globally.

The ICCE is a not-for-profit, global organization that aims to lead and develop sport coaching globally. ICCE members seek to enhance the quality of coaching at every level of sport.

The International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) was established on September 24, 1997, by delegates representing 15 countries during the second International Coach Education Summit held at Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel. The idea of creating an international body to represent coaches and coaching was discussed by Uri Schaefer from Israel, Jurgen Kotzel from Germany and Sue Campbell from UK at the 1994 meeting marking the 20th anniversary of the Trainerakademie in Cologne, Germany.

#development

Guinea Bissau Hosts Successful REDT as Part of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics Preparation

Friday, April 17, 2026 - 08:43 By United World Wrestling Press

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BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (April 17) -- As part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen wrestling development in Africa and in preparation for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the Regional Education and Development Tournament (REDT) for West Africa was successfully held in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, from April 6 to12, 2026.

Organized by the Guinea-Bissau Wrestling Federation in collaboration with United World Wrestling, the event brought together 10 National Federations from the region: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and host nation Guinea-Bissau.

The REDT tournament was designed as a multi-dimensional development platform, combining education, capacity building, and competition.

Prior to the competition phase, a series of structured activities were implemented including a training camp for wrestlers, aimed at improving technical performance. Educational sessions for coaches and administrators, delivered by UWW Development Officer Vincent AKA and a referee course, conducted by UWW Educator Charles VILLET, were also conducted.

These initiatives contributed to the harmonization of technical standards and reinforced the operational capacity of participating federations.

GBS

Competition

The competition included Men's and Women's Freestyle and Beach Wrestling across U17 and Senior categories at two different locations. Freestyle was conducted at National School of Physical Education and Sports (ENEFD) and Beach Wrestling was held at the Lino Correia Stadium.

The tournament was conducted in accordance with UWW regulations, with approved competition mats and the use of the Athena system for registration and licensing.

Impact

A few crucial outcomes were achieved through the tournament including identifying and developing young talent ahead of Dakar 2026, strengthening regional cooperation among National Federations, capacity building for coaches, referees, and administrators and promotion and integration of Beach Wrestling as a strategic discipline.

Despite the success of the event and the strong performances of athletes, the need for enhanced institutional and financial support remains a key priority. The President of the Guinea-Bissau Wrestling Federation João SOARES emphasized the importance of sustained investment to ensure continued progress and international competitiveness.

The presence of national authorities, including the Prime Minister Ilidio VIEIRA TE and National Olympic Committee President Fernando ARLETE, highlighted the recognition of wrestling as a strategic sport contributing to national development and visibility.

The REDT tournament represents a significant milestone in the regional roadmap toward Dakar 2026. The next steps include continued preparation for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, participation in upcoming African Wrestling Championships, expansion of Beach Wrestling development initiatives and further implementation of UWW education and development programs.

The successful organization of the REDT West Africa Tournament in Bissau demonstrates the effectiveness of UWW’s development strategy in the region. By combining education, capacity building, and competition, the event has contributed to building a strong foundation for the future of wrestling in Africa.

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Results

The host nation, Guinea-Bissau, delivered an outstanding performance, finishing first overall with a total of 25 medals - 17 Golds, 4 Silvers and 4 Bronzes.

Freestyle (Both Men's & Women's)

15 medals (12 Golds, 2 Silvers, 1 Bronze)

Team Rankings:
1st place: Guinea-Bissau
2nd place: Benin
3rd place: Ghana

Beach Wrestling

10 medals (5 Golds, 2 Silvers, 3 Bronzes)

Team Rankings:

1st place: Guinea-Bissau
2nd place: Senegal
3rd place: Benin