Hosting continental tourney will expose athletes, create opportunities for laurels, says NFF

Other than showcasing the nation’s potential to host world championships, the President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF), Adeyinka Samuel, believes that net net hosting the drawing shut African Senior Fencing Championships will start extra alternatives for Nigerian athletes to showcase their abilities and maintain medals on the most effective level in the continent moreover to present the points they wish to stake their claims to Olympic tickets.

Nigeria will host the 23rd African Fencing Championships at Charterhouse Lagos from June 25 to 29 and the NFF is assured that the competition will provide the nation an opportunity to entire its long-standing medal drought on the continental occasion.

With a promising lineup of athletes, the Federation believes this year’s match can also designate a turning point for Nigerian fencing.

Samuel, on the weekend, said that the sport is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a brand novel period of proficient fencers, who maintain gained treasured trip at world competitions.

“On a non-public show, as a inclined athlete, I vividly wait on in thoughts competing on the Senior African Championships in Morocco in 2008, where I narrowly overlooked a medal,” Samuel said. “To now host this very occasion as president is the culmination of years of sacrifice, dedication, and a shared imaginative and prescient for Nigerian fencing.

“It's far a reward to our entire fencing community and a legacy moment for our young, aspiring athletes.”

Explaining his conviction that Nigeria will excel on the championships, Samuel said: “Our athletes are extra ready than ever sooner than. Now we maintain invested closely in coach trend, world exposure, and excessive-efficiency practicing camps. With the reinforce of the house crowd, our fencers are mentally and bodily ready to manufacture history,” he added.

As phase of their preparation for the championships, Samuel said that Personnel Nigeria brought in an world coach from Italy, held joint practicing camps with reasonably about a African countries, and provided centered reinforce in areas corresponding to food intention, conditioning, and mental preparation.

He emphasised that the aim extends previous a hit medals, announcing that it is about interesting the following period of Nigerian fencers.

He particularly predicted that Nigeria is heading in the correct direction to maintain on the least two medals, despite the robust competition anticipated from across the continent.

Among the athletes to review is U.S.-based completely Peluola Akinbamiro, who will be competing in her first match on residence soil.

The 13-year-historical, who participated in the 2025 African and World Junior Championships in Angola and China, expressed self assurance in the crew’s preparation below the guidance of the Italian coach.

“I’m aroused to come what would possibly compete in Nigeria. We’ve trained tough, and I factor in we’re ready to interrupt the medal drought,” Akinbamiro said.

Homegrown skills, Wisdom Okanlawon, furthermore shared his enthusiasm: “It received’t be easy facing one of the most most particular fencers in Africa and the realm, however I'm hopeful. This is my first senior match, and I factor in we can manufacture our presence felt.”

Over 200 fencers from extra than 26 African countries are anticipated to compete in 12 occasions on the five-day match.