By VIVIAN AHANMISI

The Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) has formally awarded the hosting right for the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships to the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) ahead of Australia.

The award followed the provisional hosting right granted to Nigeria a few months ago making her the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament.

This is contained in a letter signed and issued on Sunday by CFF President, Marie-France Dufour and addressed to all member nations.

It was resolved by a majority decision of the Board to award the hosting right to Nigeria after reviewing the Technical Committee?s report.

?As most of you are no doubt aware, the CFF received bids from two prospective hosts for the upcoming 2026 CFF Senior-Veteran Championships.

?After some discussions, it was resolved, by a majority decision of the Board, to provisionally award the event to the Nigerian Fencing Federation, subject to their addressing certain shortcomings identified in their original bid.

?This additional information was submitted to the CFF Technical Committee and reviewed at their meeting on March 19.

?The committee delivered its recommendations to the Board, which was discussed at the CFF Board meeting of March 27.

?After, it was agreed, by majority decision of the Board, to formally award the 2026 CFF Senior-Veteran Championships to the Nigerian Fencing Federation,? the letter reads.

The CFF president congratulated the NFF for being named host of the championship and wished them success in all their endeavours.

An elated President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described the trust reposed in Nigeria as a major boost to the fortunes of fencing in the country.

He appealed for more support from both the public and private sectors for the sport.

?We bided for the hosting rights alongside Australia, and nobody ever gave us a chance to win.

?But after observing us host the Fencing World Cup in 2024, the CFF was convinced that we are ready to host any world-class tournament.

?I must acknowledge that this would not have been possible without the support of well-meaning individuals, Charter House Lagos and my board members.

?With what we have achieved in the last year, the world is now looking towards Nigeria as a nation with the potential to produce champions and host top-class events,? he said.

Samuel said that the federation was humbled by the honour to host the prestigious tournament, and would start working towards hosting a befitting tournament.

?We intend to use this year?s African Senior Championships and the World Cup as tests for the Commonwealth Championships in 2026,? he said. (NAN)

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