Nigeria will use the opportunity of hosting the Junior/Cadet African Fencing Championship to show the world the country is a force to reckon with in the sport, Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) President, Adeyinka Samuel declared yesterday.
Samuel in a media parley in Lagos said the country would win at least four medals at the forthcoming championship billed to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos from March 1 to 5.
Samuel revealed that will a 12-man team will represent Nigeria at the championship, which will attract more than 20 countries, adding that five of the nation’s representatives would arrive in Lagos in batches on Friday.
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Samuel, who is also the Secretary General of the African Fencing Federation (AFF), said Nigeria is proud to be host the event, adding that it is a major achievement to beat top fencing countries like Algeria and Tunisia to the hosting rights.
“We are targeting four medals and from the perspective that we are an up and coming country in fencing, it will be remarkable if we meet the target,” Samuel, who was once ranked top 100 fencers in the world, said.
Also speaking at the parley, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) scribe, Tunde Popoola commended the Federation for its efforts, stressing the NOC is delighted to note that the Fencing federation has a good relationship with the international body (FIE).
He noted that winning the hosting right showed that the Federation has been working assiduously to develop the sport in Nigeria and pledged the NOC’s support to make the African Championship a resounding success.
The championship serves as an avenue for junior fencers to earn points for the 2018 World Championships in Verona, Italy and will also be used as qualification criteria for the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Source: G Sport
