The Commonwealth Fencing Federation has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to successfully host the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, citing the country’s strong bid, extensive preparations and the support structures put in place ahead of the tournament in Lagos this August, The PUNCH reports.
Nigeria will become the first African nation to host the senior edition of the championships, a milestone that CFF President Marie-France Dufour believes reflects both the country’s readiness and the federation’s confidence in the growth of fencing on the continent.
According to Dufour, Nigeria secured the hosting rights after emerging as the strongest candidate in a competitive selection process overseen by the CFF and sanctioned by Commonwealth Sport.
“The hosting rights were awarded by Commonwealth Sport to the CFF, which then sought their sanction for our championships, as has been the practice in the past,” Dufour said.
“The CFF enjoys a strong, long-term partnership with Commonwealth Sport, which has consistently expressed confidence in our robust selection process. Nigeria’s bid was selected through this process, reflecting the spirit of the Commonwealth.”
She explained that the CFF Board conducted extensive due diligence before selecting Nigeria, reviewing multiple bids and assessing each candidate’s ability to meet the federation’s organisational and technical requirements.
To ensure the country is fully prepared, Dufour revealed that the CFF Technical Committee has held about 20 virtual meetings with local organisers and also conducted a technical site visit to Lagos. Experienced championship organisers have been deployed to support key operational areas, while international referees have already been secured for the event.
The tournament is expected to attract athletes from 16 countries, including Australia, England, India, South Africa, Singapore, Ghana and hosts Nigeria. The introduction of an Under-23 category has also boosted participation numbers ahead of the championships.
“The CFF is providing technical expertise and oversight throughout the process,” Dufour added.
“Competition logistics, referee resources and registration systems have been vetted, while liaison with World Para Fencing and Commonwealth Sport continues to ensure the event meets international standards.”
Dufour said she is particularly excited about witnessing the first senior Commonwealth Fencing Championships on African soil, describing it as a historic moment for the sport and a significant opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its organisational capabilities to the international sporting community.
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