Eight African countries are expected to arrive in Lagos, latest tomorrow, for the 11th Cadet and Junior African Fencing Championship holding from February 23 to 27 at the Festival Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos.
Addressing journalists in Lagos at the weekend, president of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, said the championship would feature over 200 athletes and officials, with Nigeria presenting 21 athletes in the five-day event.
Samuel noted that the Federation wants to ensure the country surpasses its performance in 2018 when it also hosted the event.
He disclosed that Egypt, which is one of the top nations in fencing, would present more athletes than Nigeria in the African Championship.
He also declared that the Nigeria Cadet Fencing Championship will serve as a point earning tournament for the forthcoming World Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships in the United Arab Emirates in April.
“For the first time in history of Nigeria, the NFF, after hosting the 2018 edition of the African Fencing Championship, which was officially adjudged the largest in the annals of the championship, has been giving the right to host the tournament for the second time.
“The championship will help discover more talents from the grassroots, who will be groomed to compete at the highest level in the sport.
Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Libya Angola, Uganda, Ghana, Niger Republic and host country, Nigeria, have been confirmed for the event.
“Nigerian athletes have been training for about two months and they will participate individually in Epee, Sabre and foil.
“Six teams of three men and three women will compete in the team events. Some Nigerian fencers in the Diaspora will also be in Team Nigeria,” he said.
He added that Festival Hotel, Festac Town, was chosen to create a bubble where athletes and officials tested for COVID-19 would be kept before the competition begins.
“Nigeria got the nod to host the African Championship at the expense of six countries. The Confederation of African Fencing said the successful hosting of the championship four years ago gave Nigeria the edge for this year’s event.
“We are expecting to get over four medals, at least, at the event. We thank the African body for approving the Fencing Academy for Nigeria, which will be located in Lekki.”
