Cote d'Ivoire named hosts of 2014 ECOWAS Games

Cote d’Ivoire has been named hosts of the 2014 edition of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Games.

The Ivorians will host the third edition of the biennial games that seeks to promote unity and friendship among participating countries.

Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Development Centre, said Cote d’Ivoire got the mandate to stage the biennial event which is gradually becoming a regular fixture on the African sports calendar.

Cote d’Ivoire will also become the first francophone country to stage the competition after Nigeria organized the maiden edition in 2010.

Njoaguani told the GNA Sports the Ghana event has been a success and commended the Government of Ghana for their support towards hosting the best edition of the biennial games so far.

The highlight was the presentation of prizes to deserving athletes and teams that participated in disciplines such as Athletics, Boxing, Handball, Volleyball and Traditional Wrestling.

After scooping all the gold medals on display, hosts Ghana were deservedly named the Best team for that discipline whilst Benin picked the fair play prize.

Ivorian Konan Karl Olivier Koffi and compatriot Kouakou Ndri Elodie were adjudged the best male and female performers for handball.

Benin grabbed the Fair Play in men’s category and Burkina Faso for the females’

Hosts' Ghana took a consolation in Traditional Wrestling with the Fair Play prize, and Senegal as the overall team.

Other participants are Sierra Leone, Togo, Mali, Nigeria and Liberia.**