The 2023 African Games will include mixed martial arts (MMA) in the overall sports program, the organizers announced on Monday.

Due to logistical and economic concerns, the event—which was originally scheduled to take place in August—has been moved to March 2024. As a result, MMA will now be included among the demonstration sports alongside e-sports, speedball, sambo, and teqball.

They will coexist with the 10 non-Olympic sports and the previously announced 15 Olympic sports, many of which will provide Olympic qualification opportunities for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

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“Adding MMA into the programme of sports is a very positive sign that Africa is ready to welcome the newer sports and those sports that have a great global interest,” said President of the Ghanian National Olympic Committee Ben Nunoo Mensah.

“There are many youngsters not only in Ghana, but across Africa that are participating in MMA and these games provide a great opportunity to witness the best athletes in Africa competing in this exciting sport.”

The Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), which has 24 member federations throughout Africa, has welcomed the news.

“We are absolutely delighted that the organisers have included us as one of the demonstration sports and we hope that this will be a catalyst for inclusion in other multi-sport games in the future,” GAMMA President Alexander Engelhardt said.

“The work of our organisation, the quality of our athletes, our ability to stage the very best events, and the value of our global community is being recognised by our inclusion and this event will surely help our sport to continue its rapid growth.”

The 2023 African Games will take place from 8-23 March 2024 in Accra, Ghana.