Sports
THE Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) has confirmed that 20 countries, including hosts Nigeria and Australia, have registered for the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos.
The event is scheduled to hold between Aug. 9 and Aug. 14.
The CFF disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos, by its media department.
According to the federation, India will parade the largest contingent, with 67 fencers competing in the Veteran, U-23, Para and Senior categories across the epee, foil and sabre events.
Other participating countries include Bangladesh, Botswana, Cyprus, England, Ghana, Guernsey and Jamaica.
It added that Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, The Gambia, Togo and Wales, also made the list.
According to the statement, the CFF President, Dufour Marie-France, has described the championships as a landmark event, noting that it will mark the return of the competition to Africa after 10 years.
“It has been 10 years since the Commonwealth Fencing Federation held championships in Africa.
“We were in Cape Town, South Africa, at the time and that championship was historic, as it incorporated for the first time, the cadet (U-17) category, becoming the first Junior-Cadet championships in Commonwealth fencing history.
“The Lagos edition has all the hallmarks of being transformational, as for the first time, the U-23 individual events will be incorporated into the well-established Senior and Veteran championships.
“This creates additional opportunities for young fencers to experience international-level competition and aim for the podium.
“These championships are also groundbreaking in that, wheelchair fencing will be introduced as an official medalling event, following the success of the para-fencing demonstration in London in 2022,” it quoted the CFF president as saying.
It stated that President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, (NFF) Mr Adeyinka Samuel, had also described the tournament as a historic milestone for fencing in Africa and the Commonwealth.
It quoted the NFF president as saying that the event was the first Senior and Veteran Commonwealth Fencing championships to be hosted in Africa, marking a momentous occasion for the sport and the Commonwealth community.
“The Nigerian Fencing Federation, in collaboration with the CFF, is proud to welcome senior, veteran and U-23 athletes from across the Commonwealth.
“The championships will not only showcase athletic excellence, but will also foster unity, sportsmanship and cultural exchange among nations.
“We eagerly anticipate welcoming participants to Lagos, a city full of life, history and opportunity.
“May this event be an unforgettable experience for all,”the statement said.(NAN)
A.I
July 19, 2026
Tags: Commonwealth Fencing Federation Mr Adeyinka Samuel NFF