The Nigeria Fencing Federation has announced a seven-man squad for the
2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup, scheduled for December 14-15
at Charterhouse Lagos.
Leading the squad is former African cadet and national junior champion,
Wisdom Okanlawon.
The 17-year-old brings valuable experience from the 2022 African
Championships, where he excelled for Nigeria.
Joining him is 15-year-old
Kiibaati Opasanya, the national school vice-champion, who will make his
international debut at this tournament. The squad also includes
Oluwashemilore Fashola (17), Mustapha Fuad (16), Olumuyiwa Ige (17),
Bade Martins (17), and Ramadan Sumon (15).
This talented group of young fencers is poised to represent Nigeria with
pride and determination on the international stage under the guidance of
coach Ibrahim Alogba, who expressed optimism about the athletes’
potential.
A delighted Fashola, participating in his first international
tournament, said, “I can’t wait to compete against the best in the
world. This is an opportunity for us to improve our world ranking and
perform well. I must thank the federation for allowing me to compete in
this event, and I am looking forward to the tournament.”
Meanwhile, some participating athletes and teams have started arriving
on Thursday, December 12, ahead of the kick-off on Saturday, December
14.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF), led by its Technical
Committee Chairman, Peter Smith, is in Lagos to monitor the success of
the two-day tournament as part of the prerequisites to award the 2026
Commonwealth Championships to Nigeria.
Referees from South Africa and Senegal have also arrived in Lagos in
readiness for the first Fencing World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa.
An official of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), Zied Feriani,
who is the President of the FIE Rules Commission, has also touched down
in Lagos to supervise the tournament.
