Kunle Adewale
As the first African country to host the senior Commonwealth Fencing Championship, after South Africa hosted the junior edition in 2022, the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) has promised to host a memorable Commonwealth Fencing Championship come August this year.
Speaking during a press conference to herald the championship and unveil the competition’s mascot and logo yesterday at the Rugby School, Eko Atlantic, Lagos, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel said the event is far more than just announcing a sporting event. It is about announcing an ambition.
“For many years, nations around the world have used sport not only as a platform for competition, but as a vehicle for education, economic growth, international cooperation, tourism, and national development and the Commonwealth Fencing Championships presents Nigeria with exactly such an opportunity.
“This August 2026, Lagos will welcome athletes, coaches, officials, and delegates from across the Commonwealth. Many of these visitors will be coming to Nigeria for the very first time. They will experience our hospitality, our culture, our innovation, and our determination to compete and collaborate on the global stage.
“For fencing in Nigeria, this moment represents the culmination of years of hard work. What began as a small and relatively unknown sport has grown into one of the country’s most exciting Olympic disciplines, creating opportunities for children, young people, coaches, officials, and athletes from diverse backgrounds,” the NFF boss said.
One of the participants, Teniayo Erinle, said she’s both excited and worried ahead of the championship. “I believe at the end of the competition, I would have gathered a lot of experience,” she noted.
On what the championship meant to him, Nabel Oseni, a male participant, who has been fencing for eight years said, “It is a big privilege to represent my country at the global stage.”
For the Vice President of NFF, Rachael Samuel, the occasion presented an opportunity to celebrate a significant achievement for Nigerian sport.
“The awarding of the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships to Nigeria is a recognition of the progress we have made as a federation and as a nation. It reflects the confidence that the international fencing community believes in our ability to host a world-class event and deliver an unforgettable experience for athletes and visitors from across the Commonwealth.”