Development, Coaching

Wrestling Delivers Development Programs in Africa

Thursday, June 20, 2019 - 19:25 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (June 20) -- As part of United World Wrestling’s broader initiative to secure future wrestling opportunities in Africa, the international federation for the sport delivered coaching courses following the 2019 African Wrestling Championships this March.

The courses were held in Namibia and Guinée Bissau and conducted by UWW Development Officer Vincent AKA (CIV) and UWW Educator Juan Luis MAREN (CUB).

An assistance program for underdeveloped wrestling nations was also introduced. In addition, United World Wrestling's Development Department conducted workshops for national federations to inform the leaders of development programs. 

Namibia Wrestling Federation President Magdalena KATIMBA attended the workshop and applied for an Olympic Solidarity Technical Course for her federation. Katimba launched a wrestling social grassroot development program throughout the country and conducted a talent identification program among the youth.At the African Championships, Namibia won its first cadet gold medal and first junior and senior bronze medals. 


Guinée Bissau performed well at the continental championships showed potential despite the difficulties faced by the country, said Maren. The wrestlers are currently training at the UWW African Training Centre under the expertise of Alexis RODRIGUEZ (CUB).

Following the course, Maren visited various clubs in Guinée Bissau to see the sporting infrastructure and assess the development needs of the national federation. 

A grassroot development program will be launched next year in both countries to further contribute to these activities and plan for the 2022 Youth Olympic Games and 2024 Olympic Games. 

Programs on refereeing, coaching and administration education are planned for this year in Chad, Uganda, Cameroon, Morocco and Guinea. 

For any additional information on the development programs, please contact development@unitedworldwrestling.org.

#development

UWW Signs MoU with Hungary University of Sports Science and KIMBA to Expand Educational Programme

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 09:54 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 15) -- United World Wrestling (UWW), the Hungary Wrestling Federation (MBSZ), and the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (HUSS/TF) have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening wrestling education, research, and international cooperation.

The agreement was officially signed in Budapest by UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, MBSZ President Szilard NEMETH, and HUSS Rector Tamas STERBENZ. The partnership is designed to further develop wrestling-specific educational programmes while enhancing opportunities for coaches, athletes, researchers, and sports professionals worldwide.
 KIMBAFrom left to right: HUSS Vice Rector Dr. Csaba OKROS, UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, President of MBSZ Nemeth SZILARD, HUSS Rector Dr. Tamas STERBENZ, UWW Bureau Member Peter BACSA and KIMBA Head of Trustee  Laszlo SULE.

Under the new collaboration, the institutions will work together to provide expanded educational pathways tailored to the wrestling community. The initiative will include specialized courses and programmes focused on professional development, athlete performance support, sports science, health management, and injury prevention.

The MoU also promotes international academic and professional exchanges involving students, researchers, and experts, with the broader objective of strengthening global wrestling development and cooperation.

Supported by Olympic Solidarity, four wrestling coaches recently graduated from the programme and participated in the academy’s first mentorship programme, highlighting the growing international impact of the initiative.

Several prominent figures from the wrestling and academic communities attended the signing ceremony in Budapest, including UWW Bureau Member Peter BACSA, HUSS Vice Rector Csaba OKROS, KIMBA Head of Trustee Laszlo SULE, and Assistant Professor of the Department of Martial Arts Gergely BABSZKY.

The partnership marks another important step in UWW’s efforts to professionalize wrestling education and create sustainable development opportunities for the global wrestling community.