Kajido to lead Sambo team to 13th African Games

Jonah Kajido (79kg) is leading a four-man team named by the Sambo Association of Nigeria (SAN) for the 13th African Games scheduled for Accra, Ghana from March 8 to 23.

The other members of the squad of two men and tow women are James Chegwam (58kg), Fatima Jonah Ogbonyomi (65kg) and Charity Jatau (59kg).SAN Vice President, Sheriff Hammed, said the athletes were selected for the African Games “based on their knowledge of the sport and Sambo being one of the demonstration sports in Ghana, we want to ensure that we are well represented in the event.”

He said: “This is the first time that Sambo will be part of the African Games as the sport is gaining ground across the globe and Nigeria should not be an exception. For now, the athletes are in camp in readiness for the games as we are not just going there to add to the number but to make our presence felt in the event.”

Hammed, who is also the joint secretary of Africa, International Association of Combative Sports (IACS), said participating in the games would give more people opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness of the sport, being one of the fast-growing sports in the world.

“We are hoping that participating in the games would give us the chance to popularise the sport among Africans and Nigerians. More African countries are now embracing the sport and hopefully, it will be part of the Olympics very soon with the way it is growing across the globe,” he added.

Among the countries that will compete in the Sambo event are Nigeria, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon, Congo DR, Egypt, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Niger Republic, Togo and hosts, Ghana.