US, HONG KONG, EGYPT, OTHERS SET TO PARTICIPATE IN FENCING WORLD CUP IN LAGOS
Leading fencing nations from across the world, such as Egypt, Hong Kong, the United States, and others, will compete in the 2024 Men’s World Cup, which will take place in Lagos from December 14–15.
The tournament, which will be a point-earning event for the athletes, will be held at Charterhouse Lagos, a famous international school in Nigeria.
Ghana, Senegal, Greece, Angola, Togo, the Benin Republic, and host Nigeria are among the nations that have already been confirmed to compete in the two-day event.
Aside from North African countries like Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia, Nigeria would be the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to host the Fencing World Cup, according to Adeyinka Samuel, president of the Nigeria Fencing Federation.
This event will allow Nigerian fencers to compete with their international counterparts and showcase Nigeria as a leading fencing nation in Africa.
“We are excited about the opportunity given to Nigeria to stage this important event. We are grateful to the management of Charterhouse Lagos for agreeing to host the tournament”
“This is a rare opportunity for any country in Africa, and we are thrilled to become the first Sub-Saharan African country to host the World Cup. Having successfully hosted the African championships in 2018 and 2020, we have been eager to host the World Cup. Our bid was unanimously supported, and this event will provide our fencers with the chance to experience top-class competition at home,” Samuel said.
The competition will also give local athletes the opportunity to gain points before the U.S. Olympic qualifiers in Los Angeles in 2028.
Charterhouse Lagos’ Director of Education, John Todd, said the school is excited to host the event.
“We are excited that Nigeria is hosting such an event. At Charterhouse Lagos, fencing has been part of the UK’s independent youth program. Partnering with the Nigeria Fencing Federation is a long-term collaboration that we believe will help grow the sport. We are also supporting their quest to stage the Commonwealth Championships, as we have the facilities to support them. We believe more young Nigerians will embrace the sport, and we are committed to supporting Nigeria in improving the state of fencing,” Todd said.
For Nigeria’s teenage fencers, Shemilore Fashola and Wisdom Okanlawon, the tournament will provide an opportunity to compete against some of the finest fencers in the world.