The amateur MMA rules competition, under the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), will join six other demonstration sports in a total of 30 disciplines. Eight of these will host qualifying events for the Paris 2024 Games this summer. 

The 13th edition of the quadrennial multi-sport event runs from 8-23 March and is 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 across the continent, including the host federation, the Ghana Mixed Martial Arts Association. 

GAMMA's vision is to see Mixed Martial Arts formally recognised as a sport by the Olympic Movement internationally and to one day be included in the Olympic Games. Inclusion in the African Games is a milestone for the sport. As far as Africa is concerned, the achievement is an accolade for Africa's MMA athletes as the sport continues to grow across the continent. Following the completion of registration, medical checks and weigh-ins, the tournament draw will take place on 9 March ahead of the start of the fights on Sunday.

Representatives from the national federations of Sierra Leone and Tunisia will also be in attendance. "We are at a great moment for MMA as it is being welcomed into the Olympic programme at the African Games, a first for the sport. This is not only a tribute to the development of MMA in Africa and the efforts of our members, but also a fantastic platform for African MMA athletes that will undoubtedly spur further growth," said Engelhardt.

"The learning curve has been steep for our young federations in terms of engaging with the processes of their sport ministries, National Olympic Committees and the Local Organising Committees to complete the bidding process for an event of this magnitude, while MMA is not eligible for financial support in most countries. Despite this, eleven of the twenty-four GAMMA nations will be fielding a team and putting a stake in the ground this time around," he said.

"We look forward to start the competition on Sunday at the 2023 edition of the African Games and many more to come, where MMA's presence will only grow," concluded GAMMA President Alex Engelhardt.

Athletes by national team:

BENIN:
-Affognon Jhon-Kennedy - 83,9 Kg (M).
-Dagnon Jean-Eudes Mahouton Renaud - 61,2 Kg Elite (M).
-Houssou Michael Mahugnon - 83,9 Kg (M).
-Sewanou Jacques Jouton - 70,3 Kg (M).
-Song Holonou - 65,8 Kg (M).

BURKINA FASO:
-Gaoussou Sanou - 120,2 Kg (M).
-Israel Phinee Mano - 93,0 Kg (M).
-Issa Boussim - 61,2 Kg (M).
-Omar Tinta - 83,9 Kg (M).
-Sibiri Ben Ali Toe - 93,0 Kg (M). 

IVORY COAST:
-Aka Miezan Prince Mensan - 70,3 Kg (M). 
-Fanny Dago -120,2 Kg (M). 
-Germain Obou - 65,8 Kg (M). 
-Koffi Jean Francis N`Goran - 77,1 Kg  (M).
-Marcel Yao - 83,9 Kg (M). 
-Tidiane Coulibaly - 83,9 Kg (M).

EGYPT:  
-Amr Ali  - 70,3 kg | - 155 lbs (M).
-Dalia Abodeff - 47,6 Kg  (F).
-Mohamed Ashaat - 93,0 Kg (M).
-Mohamed Elsayed - 77,1 Kg (M).

GHANA  
-Abubakari Winnie - 65,8 Kg Elite (F).
-Akorli Jackson Dodzi - 61,2 Kg (M). 
-Ankrah Leticia Amanua - 47,6 Kg (F).
-AryeeJoseph - 83,9 Kg (M). 
-Awudu Yussif Khalil - 77,1 Kg (M). 
-Boakye Elizabeth- 52,2 Kg (F).
-Darko Salom - 70,3 Kg (M). 
-Entusah Mubarak Muhammed - 65,8 Kg (M). 
-EtrueJoseph - 61,2 Kg (M). 
-Kotoka Felix - 56,7 Kg (M). 
-Moladzah Augustine Kwabla- 70,3 Kg (M).
-NianeOumar -120,2 Kg (M). 
-Nortey William Adom - 65,8 Kg (M). 
-Okaijah Perpetual - 56,7 Kg (F).

LIBYA:  
-Felfel Muammar - 65,8 kg (M).

MAURITIUS:  
-Idoo Bhojul Mohammad Ajmal  - 93,0 Kg (M). 
-Ramzan Abdul Aziim - 77,1 Kg (M). 
-Rassool Bibi Oumee Hanee Meherin - 61,2 Kg (F).
-Sookhoo Bhirsing - 56,7 Kg (M). 

NIGERIA
-Albert Idowu Lucky - 70,3 Kg (M). 
-Aziba Martins - 93,0 Kg (M). 
-Freddy Destiny  - 70,3 Kg (M). 
-Eweh Emmanuel Benard - 65,8 Kg (M). 
-Eze Daniel Emeke - 83,9 Kg (M). 
-Gabriel Karo - 61,2 Kg (M). 
-Idowu Busayo Khadijat - 52,2 Kg (F).
-Muzan Richard -120,2 Kg (M). 
-Obanla Joy Ebanda - 65,8 Kg (F).
-ObeyaJohn - 77,1 Kg (M). 
-Onyeali Blessing + 72,6 Kg (F).
-Peter Winifred Agara - 47,6 Kg (F).
-Sodiq Olanike Rasheeda - 61,2 Kg (F).

SUDAN:

-Mojahed Mohamedel Hassan Merghani Ahmed - 61,2 Kg (M). 
-Mossab Elfadil Abdelgadir Mohamedali - 70,3 Kg (M). 

TOGO:
-Awassiou Welike - 61,2 Kg (M). 
-EkoueDouhadji  - 77,1 Kg (M). 
-Sylvain Kokou - 65,8 Kg (M). 

UGANDA  
Mwesige Denis  - 83,9 Kg (M). 
Tugume Titus - 83,9 Kg (M).