Sport in Niger

Horse racing, camel racing and sorro wrestling are some of the traditional sports in Niger that were firmly entrenched in their culture. Sorro Wrestling is known as the “King of Sports” in the country.Other popular sports in the world dominated these traditional games in Niger namely, football and rugby. The country has well-skilled teams for each that competes in both amateur and professional leagues. The national team for football is called Menas. Moreover, Moussa Kanfideni, was the most notable mid-fielder from the 1970s to 1980s and Harouna Doula Gabde also became popular for leading Niger to its first African Nations Cup.

The national team for rugby is called Niger National Rugby Union Team and their known achievement was in the year 2006 of the Car Castel Beer Trophy where they came as a runner up in Tanzania.

Nigeriens celebrate a number of festivals yearly. One of which is called Festival National de la Jeuness, des sports et de la culture. It is a government sponsored national youth sport and cultural contest. Niger also holds a competition for traditional wrestling. It is called National Championship of Lutte Traditionelle where they will advance from the regional championships, and be awarded with a ceremonial sabre.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Niger. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please make a comment below.

Popular sports of Niger

• Football (Soccer), Rugby

Traditional or Regional Sports

• Sorro Wrestling - known as the “King of Sports”

Niger Sporting Success

Athletes from Niger

• Moussa Kanfideni (football)
• Harouna Doula Gabde (football)

Niger Sports trivia

Niger at major events

• Niger at the Summer Olympics

Past sporting events hosted in Niger

Upcoming sporting events in Niger

Annual sporting events held in Niger

Sporting Facilities in Niger