Overview:
GAMMA’s vision is to see mixed martial arts formally recognised as a sport internationally by the Olympic movement and to one day enter The Olympic Games. As for Africa, the achievement is an accolade to Africa’s MMA’s athletes as the sport continues to grow across the continent.
It was a special moment to cherish as the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debuted at the African Games in Accra city, Ghana.
Eleven African teams traveled to the West African country to represent their countries competing in mixed martial arts (MMA) during the African Games.
The sport featured in the programme for the first time ever as a demonstration sport among the 30 disciplines, held under the Amateur MMA rules competition with the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA).
GAMMA President Alexander Engelhardt met with the delegation heads from the participating countries at Alisa Hotel in Accra city to forge a way forward for the sport.
We stand at a great moment for MMA as it is welcomed into the Olympic programme at the African Games in a first for the sport. Not only is this a tribute to the development of MMA in Africa and the efforts of our members, but a fantastic platform for African MMA athletes and one which will no doubt spur further growth. The learning curve has been steep for our young federations as to engaging with the processes of their sport ministries, National Olympic Committees and the Local Organising Committee to complete entry for an event of this scale, while as a demonstration sport, MMA is not eligible for financial support in most countries. Despite this, of GAMMA’s twenty-four nations, eleven countries will be fielding a team this time and putting a stake in the ground. We look forward to the commencement of competition on Sunday in the 2023 edition of the African Games and many more to come, in which MMA’s footprint is only set to grow.
Alexander Engelhardt, president GAMMA
Uganda’s Titus Tugume alongside Denis Mwesige traveled to Ghana to represent the country.
“This was a special moment that we should build upon. Mixed Marital Arts is a virgin sport in Uganda that needs the full support of the Government and other important stakeholders. We seek recognition from National Council of Sports (NCS) and we are preparing all the documentations” Tugume told Kawowo Sports in Accra, North Ridge.
The 13th edition of the four-year, multi-sport event runs from 8 to 23 March, organised by the African Union (AU), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC) and the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA).
Officially recognised in Africa by the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC), GAMMA has 24 recognised and active member federations on the continent, including host federation the Ghanaian Mixed Martial Arts Association.
GAMMA’s vision is to see mixed martial arts formally recognised as a sport internationally by the Olympic movement and to one day enter The Olympic Games.
Acceptance into the African Games provides a milestone for the sport as it advances MMA’s quest for recognition.
As for Africa, the achievement is an accolade to Africa’s MMA’s athletes as the sport continues to grow across the continent.