Development

United World Wrestling Announces Financial Support for Smaller Wrestling Developing Nations

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 - 11:35 By UWW Development

Share this article

On the 26th of January 2021, the UWW Development Department announced the availability of Technical Assistance for smaller wrestling nations and developing countries to attend the Tokyo Summer Olympic Qualifier Tournaments.

Olympic Qualifying Tournaments & Acclimation Camps (2021)

Table

This financial support will help cover the costs of the international travels and accommodations for athletes to participate in the qualifiers. A maximum of 2 athletes and 1 coach per national federation will be accepted. Admitted athletes and coaches must follow all UWW sanitary protocols . All applications must be submitted by member federations via their official UWW email address to the UWW Development Department before the above-indicated deadlines.

Further details about the support will be shared with each respective continent in the coming week.

‘Due to the impact of the COVID pandemic, many federations are facing financial difficulties to support their athletes attending competitions. We know that it is crucial for these athletes to be able to attend these qualifiers, as these competitions are the only pathway for them to qualify for the Olympic Games, to have a chance to achieve their dreams,’ said  Mr Lalovic. ‘We have been investing more than 50% of our annual income in supporting various wrestling development programs and projects worldwide, and athletes continuously remain the focus of our work.’

Through our collaboration with Olympic Solidarity, the Continental Councils and other important partners, 1’255 athletes and coaches benefited from 200 UWW development activities during the 2017-2020 Olympic cycle. 

Jadida_camp

Development

The REDT in South Africa: A True Opportunity for Exchange and Cooperation to Propel Wrestling in a Region with Tremendous Potential

Monday, January 6, 2025 - 14:23 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

Pretoria, South Africa (January 6) – A week full of initiatives dedicated to the regional development of wrestling took place in Pretoria from 29th to 08th December, bringing together young athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators from six countries in the region. This landmark event, organized under the REDT program launched by United World Wrestling, provided an exceptional platform for training, education, and competition opportunities for various members of the wrestling community - from athletes to coaches, officials and administrators.

With eight countries involved, this event was a full week of education as follows:

  • 29th Nov – 1st Dec - Youth Training Camp 13-15-year-olds, Talent identification with Vincent Aka and Guillermo Menendez Molina.
  • 2nd-5th Dec-Senior international training Camp - U16 years olds till seniors, Vincent Aka and Guillermo Menendes Molina.
  • 1st- 3rd Dec - UWW Level 2 Referee course with Zach Errett, UWW education Manager.
  • 6th-8th Dec - UWW Level 2 Referee course included beach wrestling with Charles Villet, UWW Educator.
  • 1st-5th Dec - UWW Level 3 Coaching course with Vincent Aka, UWW Development Officer.
  • 6th Dec - Administrators course with Deqa Niamkey, UWW Development Director.
  • 7th December - Tournament:  U17, U20 and Seniors  - FS GR WW
  • 8th December - Tournament :  Beach Wrestling  Men, Women - U17, U20 and Seniors

A National Camp for Youth: A Stepping Stone Toward Dakar 2026

1
(Vincent Aka and Guillermo Menendes Molina address the Youth Wrestlers at training camp)

3

(Certificates on conclusion of the Youth Camp)

B

(Certificates on conclusion of the U16+ - Senior camp)

The week began with a national camp exclusively for young talents. The participants, primarily from South Africa, underwent intensive training sessions and enriching exchanges under the supervision of United World Wrestling experts. The goal was to identify and select promising young athletes, with a primary focus on preparing the best youth wrestlers to shine at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

An International Training Camp and Courses for Coaches, referees and administrators

Following this youth talent identification camp, an international training camp allowed wrestlers, from cadets to seniors, to refine their techniques. To support skill development at all levels, several specialized courses were organized:

  • Level 3 Coaching Course, led by Vincent AKA, offering advanced tools for better understanding training periodization and building one's coaching philosophy.

4

(Coaches and referees)

In this regard, coach Markus Dekker, head coach of the South African Wrestling Federation, underline: << this program was excellence, I got a lot of positive feedback from the participants>>.

  • Level 2 Refereeing Course, delivered by Zach Errett and Charles Villet, aimed at ensuring high-quality officiating during competitions. Initially led by Zach Errett, the course was later implemented by Charles Villet in real competition settings during the Olympic Wrestling and Beach Wrestling events at the end of the week.

5

(Coaches join the referees in a technical rules course)

About the refereeing course, OKOU Timipre, a participant from Nigeria, said: <<The Programme was quite inspiring and apt. However, it will improve the technical and managerial abilities and skills of the Athletes, Coaches, Referees and Administrators in the African Continent and the World at large>>

  • Sports Administration Course, conducted in person by Déqa Niamkey and complemented by a virtual session led by Youssef Bouaziz for national federation and club administrators. Youssef was impressive and demonstrate a high expertise in ARENA by taking control of participants computers and support and guiding them to better understand and act according to difficult situations.

6

(Ms. Deqa Niamkey addresses the coaches)

7

(Ms. Deqa Niamkey with the RSA Tournament Administration team)

Competitions and Beach Wrestling to Wrap Up the Week

The week concluded with a grand finale featuring an Olympic wrestling tournament that showcased the talent and determination of the participants. A dedicated Beach Wrestling Day, a growing and spectacular discipline, brought the event to a close with a friendly and sporty atmosphere.

8

(Wrestlers from different countries pose together for a group photo after the competition)

8

(Senior women at the beach wrestling competition)

10
(Namibia VS Zambia, women's beach wrestling)

11(Rules discussion at the Beach Wrestling Competition)

A Promising Regional Event

This gathering brought together participants from eight countries: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Nigeria (represented by a referee and a coach), Zimbabwe, Ecuador and Zambia. This diverse representation highlights the regional commitment to developing wrestling and fostering cooperation among African nations.

Merci Mulenga, President of Zambian wrestling federation, appreciating the REDT, concluding in these terms: “From the Zambian team we would like to send our greatest gratitude to united world wrestling for giving us the privilege to attend the intunthuko regional camp and tournament. We had an awesome experience it been the first time we are attending such an event. I would like to appreciate the good coaching session that went down, the presentation was nicely presented and were very helpful and educating to not only us Zambian team who are still in the learning phase but to others Aswell. From a scale of 10, I would rate my experience at 10/10 and look forward to more amazing programs of the same kind. Thanks”

The hospitality was great. The timing of the competition was very good. I think this event could improve by a little bigger venue said Luis Alexandro Villagomez Paredes from Ecuador.

For her part, Jeanne-Marié Coetzer, Secretary General of the South African Wrestling Federation insist on the chance bring by the REDT: <<This event provided an opportunity for neighbouring countries to form a hub that allows their athletes, coaches and referees to gain international exposure and training which would otherwise be very difficult due to finances required for travel to obtain these qualifications otherwise.>> The RSA Wrestling federation is most grateful for this opportunity and plan on hosting a next event soon!

The presence of Déqa Niamkey, Director of Development at United World Wrestling, inspired all the participants at this REDT event. By creating training opportunities and strengthening connections among wrestling stakeholders, the REDT laid a solid foundation for the future of the sport in Southern Africa. Participants returned home enriched and ready to share the knowledge gained, making this initiative a model for sports development across the continent.