Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle

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Sports & AdventureNiamey
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceUnlike the larger Sabre National Kokowa
Language["fr"]Currency: XOF
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle in Niamey

Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse is a national Kokowa traditional-wrestling tournament organized by Niger's Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, bringing together 16 wrestlers, two from each region. The fourth edition was hosted at the Hamidine Maidare arena in Tahoua in July 2026, where Bello Illa of Tahoua region defeated Maty Souley Gouga of Maradi region to win the trophy and 1,000,000 CFA francs plus sponsor prizes.

The Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Culture is a national Kokowa traditional-wrestling tournament organized directly by Niger's Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, distinct from, though related to, the larger Sabre National Kokowa championship also contested in the country.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike the larger Sabre National Kokowa championship, this tournament is organized directly by Niger's Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and fields a more compact field of 16 wrestlers, two per region, giving it a tighter, more focused format

02

The mystery stays covered

The fourth edition's outcome carried a strong local narrative: Bello Illa, representing host region Tahoua and dubbed the gladiator of Tahoua by regional press, defeated Maty Souley Gouga of Maradi region to claim the ministry's trophy, a hometown victory that resonated with the host crowd

03

The city starts moving

Prize money reflected serious institutional and corporate backing, with the 1,000,000 CFA franc ministry prize supplemented by 500,000 CFA francs from SONIBANK and 300,000 CFA francs from Niger Telecoms, indicating meaningful sponsorship investment in traditional wrestling

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The tournament is built around Kokowa

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the Hausa tradition of folk wrestling also central to Niger's larger Sabre National championship

The sacred route

Living ritual

contested here in a compact

The local code

Living ritual

ministry-organized format that draws two representatives from each of Niger's regions

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Winning wrestlers

Tradition 6

Living ritual

such as Bello Illa in the fourth edition

Tradition 7

Living ritual

gain regional celebrity and are celebrated with titles echoing the sport's culture of local pride

Tradition 8

Living ritual

reflecting Kokowa's continued role as both athletic competition and marker of regional identity within Niger

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

For Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle, plan transport around the exact Niamey venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, loose clothing suited to Tahoua's hot days and cool nights is practical for spectators at the open-air Hamidine Maidare arena; modest coverage is appropriate given the...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle, stay near the part of Niamey you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["fr"] · XOF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map13.51 N, 2.11 EOpen in Google Maps

Niamey, West Africa, Niger

Nearest airportNIM — Diori Hamani
TransportFor Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle, plan transport around the exact Niamey venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle, stay near the part of Niamey you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Niamey via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Niamey, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, loose clothing suited to Tahoua's hot days and cool nights is practical for spectators at the open-air Hamidine Maidare arena; modest coverage is appropriate given the family-oriented, traditional crowd typical of Kokowa events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Niger and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle?

Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle is listed for Past edition: 30 May–1 June 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Coupe du Ministre de la Jeunesse de Lutte Traditionnelle take place?

The festival is listed in Niamey, Niger. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Niamey, West Africa, Niger

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLafrica-press.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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