#development

Senegal hosts UWW African Seminar

By United World Wrestling Press

DAKAR, Senegal (March 13) --- United World Wrestling held its African Seminar in Dakar, Senegal, February 13-15, bringing together representatives from various African wrestling federations. The seminar aimed to provide administrative training ahead of upcoming championships, such as the African Beach Wrestling Championship, African Games, and African Championship. The event was meticulously overseen by experts including Mr. Vincent AKA, Mme. Deqa NIAMKEY, and Mr. Youssef BOUAZIZ, an IT Specialist.

The seminar also aimed to address the pressing need for capacity building within African wrestling federations, recognizing the shared goal of advancing the sport on the continent. By focusing on federation management, particularly in preparation for upcoming championships, the sessions underscored the collective commitment to enhancing organizational capabilities and operational efficiency.

Central to this initiative was the acknowledgment of challenges encountered by various federations in managing their information systems. This common obstacle served as a catalyst for collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants, fostering a sense of solidarity and mutual support.

Day 1: Technical and Technological Focus:

The first day of the seminar concentrated on technical and technological aspects crucial for effective federation management. Sessions included discussions on essential tools for federation offices, establishment of official email addresses, utilization of the Athena platform, and organizing Olympic sports. However, it was observed that some federations faced challenges due to the lack of technological resources such as laptops, printers, and physical infrastructure representing their federation back at their local country.

Day 2: Strategic Management Focus and Cultural Visit:

On the second day, the focus shifted to strategic management principles tailored to the needs of wrestling federations. Practical examples and national wrestling federation cases were employed to illustrate effective strategies for federation development. Additionally, a visit to the renowned wrestling arena in Dakar was organized, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the sport's cultural significance in Senegal. The excitement and joy among the representatives during this visit were palpable, highlighting the shared passion for wrestling and its rich history.

The engagement and dedication of present UWW (United World Wrestling) experts played a pivotal role in driving the seminar's success. Their expertise and guidance provided invaluable insights, empowering attendees with practical strategies and best practices to overcome existing hurdles and optimize their federation operations.

Overall, the seminar served as a testament to the collaborative efforts and shared interests within the wrestling community, epitomizing a commitment to excellence and progress in the sport's development.

#WrestleTirana

UWW Europe Concludes General Assembly in Tirana

By United World Wrestling Press

TIRANA, Albania (April 19) — The United World Wrestling European Council held its General Assembly in Tirana on Sunday, on the eve of the European Championships.

The Assembly was chaired by Europe Council President Karl Martin DITTMANN. It was attended by UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, the Council members as well as Secretary General Carlos ROY. Representatives from 30 National Federations were also registered. 

Dittmann presented the annual report of UWW Europe along with finance, budget and program reports.

Lalovic addressed the Assembly and focused on the aspects of developing wrestling and increasing the visibility of the sport.

“We are trying to be one of the most interesting sport to be followed by spectators on television, social media and our platform where we have achieved good results,” Lalovic said. “We believe that we can do much better and we are focused on that”

From the annual report of European Council, a special report was presented on the promotional program for Women’s Wrestling Europe.

Started in 2023, the project was continued in 2024 and 2025 with 11 countries selected for promotion last year. 

These countries were Austria, Croatia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Switzerland and Sweden.

The postponed project for GBR from 2024 was implemented in 2025.

UWW Europe also developed its own website to achieve better visibility. The new website is - uww-europe.eu.