The Association of ECOWAS Journalists Specialised in Wrestling (AJSL) has been officially launched, marking a major step toward strengthening and professionalising wrestling journalism across West Africa.

The association, which came into existence on Tuesday, brings together media professionals from several countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). AJSL aims to serve as the collective voice and reference network for journalists covering traditional African wrestling and major regional sporting events.

The creation of AJSL follows months of consultations among sports journalists and stakeholders in traditional wrestling. The association is committed to promoting high-quality, ethical, and specialised journalism, while fostering collaboration and synergy among professionals from different countries in the sub-region.

With its extensive regional network, AJSL plans to work closely with ECOWAS and other sub-regional bodies to enhance visibility for events such as TOLAC and other sporting and cultural competitions. Speaking on the initiative, Beninese journalist Gilles Biguézoton, a key figure behind the association’s formation, said the time had come for wrestling journalists within the ECOWAS region to unite their voices and efforts for greater impact.

At its inaugural meeting, the founding members adopted a leadership structure representing several ECOWAS countries. Abou Ndour of Senegal, Managing Director of Albouralh.tv, was elected President, while Gilles Biguézoton of Africasport.org emerged as Secretary General and spokesperson.

The executive committee is composed as follows:

• President: Abou Ndour (Senegal)

• First Vice President: Abdoul Aziz Sow (Guinea Conakry)

• Second Vice President: Tolu Oguntimehin (Nigeria)

• Secretary General / Spokesperson: Gilles Biguézoton (Benin)

• Deputy Secretary General: Abdoul Rahamane O. Maman (Niger)

• Treasurer General: Kangni Follykoe (Togo)

• Deputy Treasurer General: Carlos Balde (Guinea-Bissau)

• Organising Secretary I: Claude Amah (Togo)

• Organising Secretary II: Paul S. Prierra (Gambia)

The multi-national composition of the leadership reflects AJSL’s ambition to transcend national boundaries and promote wrestling journalism across West Africa—and potentially the entire African continent in the future.

Among its core objectives, AJSL seeks to:

• Professionalise and enhance media coverage of wrestling, a sport deeply rooted in West African culture.

• Promote ethical journalism, particularly in the coverage of sporting and cultural events.

• Create a platform for solidarity, knowledge-sharing, and continuous training among specialised journalists.

• Strengthen collaboration between the media, sports organisations, and ECOWAS institutions to secure greater visibility and institutional support for wrestling events in the region.

Several members present at the launch highlighted the importance of the association in improving the technical and analytical capacity of journalists amid the rapidly evolving media landscape and rising expectations of sports audiences.