Pro wrestling launches in Benin Republic
‘’Pro Wrestling inauguration in Benin Republic is timely’’ – PWA Scribe Olukoya Appreciates the Florida in US Golden Wrestling Federacy for the support provided
Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA), a body established with the vision of creating a Mecca of exciting world class modern day professional wrestling within Africa, the second largest continent in area and in population after Asia, which has more people and land area, is excited that professional wrestling is gradually gaining more attention in the West African nations, likewise the other regions of the African continent.
Benin Republic is a French-speaking West African nation of 13 million people where there are 42 ethnic groups. The largest groups are the Fon, the Yoruba, and the Adjara. Most Beninese are Christians or follow traditional beliefs, including voodoo, while about 20 percent of the people are Muslims. The African country of Benin is divided into twelve different states, which are officially called "departments" in the Beninese system of government. The twelve departments are: Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, and Zou.
“We at the Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) are so excited that professional wrestling has been inaugurated in Benin Republic. Nigeria as a nation has been showcasing pro wrestling internationally since the late 60s In Africa, while our neighboring nation of Benin Republic has no semblance of the sport. We think that is not good enough, so we have to do the needful and reached out to the concerned authority at the ‘’Ministry du Sports” Cotonou in Benin who are so much keen about the process. Currently the four African countries involved in big time professional wrestling are Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa and Congo Democratic Republic while others like Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana and so are gradually coming up. All we can do is to see to inaugurating professional wrestling among the other African nations which is gradually happening now,’’ explained Olukoya.
We are grateful to the management of Golden Wrestling Federacy (GWF) based in Florida USA for the logistic supports which facilitated the process of traveling to Benin Republic with lots of Golden Boy/GWF souvenirs including face caps, T-shirts, wrist bands, stickers, badges, pins and so on. We also want to appreciate the world body we are affiliated with Allied Independent Wrestling Federations (AIWF), the Director of Sports and Sports Training, Sports Ministry in Benin Republic, Okry Christophe Nonvignon who handed over the Benin Professional Wrestling Association to Bienvenu Vodounou, the Président of Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Bénin Republic to see to it, that the sport is established in other states in Benin and then report back while working with Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) to see to the growth and development of the sport in Benin Republic. We are also grateful to Roland Sabidare of the Ministry of Sports in Cotonou, Benin, Kinmabou Romaric and Adounkbe Radegonde who are associates of Bienvenu Vodounou.
Olukoya with Director of Sports Okry Nonvignon and Bienvenu Vodounou
“I can say that it is timely to inaugurate pro wrestling in Benin Republic considering the training coming up in Togo in February 2024 which will feature the Benin Team. All these are gearing up towards developing the game of Professional Wrestling in West Africa where Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) in collaboration with the Golden Wrestling Federacy (GWF) has scheduled training of West African wrestlers in Togo.
Olusesan Olukoya outside the Benin Sports Ministry
