As part of the strategic four-year partnership between the Nigerian Fencing Federation (NFF) and the Italian Fencing Federation (Federazione Italiana Scherma, FIS), a top-tier Italian coach will arrive in Lagos this month.

He is to work with the Nigerian team ahead of the 2025 African Senior Fencing Championships, which will take place from June 25 to 29 in Lagos.

The partnership, signed in December 2024, aims to accelerate the development of fencing in Nigeria through technical support and knowledge exchange.

The deployment of an elite Italian coach is one of the key deliverables of this collaboration.
Riccardo Bardine, a highly respected figure in the international fencing community, will lead a two-week intensive training program for Nigerian coaches and athletes.

Bardine is a certified fencing coach, strength and conditioning expert, and Paralympic sports specialist. He studied Sport Science and completed his fencing education at the prestigious Club Scherma Pisa Antonio Di Ciolo—one of the world’s most renowned fencing institutions.

Bardine brings a wealth of experience, having coached at elite clubs such as Circolo Scherma La Spezia and Club Scherma Rapallo.

He has also served on the coaching staff of Italy’s U17 National Épée Team and has
trained top-level athletes in both foil and épée disciplines.

 
As a former athlete, Bardine boasts an impressive résumé: a bronze medal at the Italian U23 Foil Championships, a silver medal at the National Team Championships (B Series, promoted to A Series), and two selections for the Junior National Épée Team at World Cups.

He is also a certified Olympic weightlifting coach and specialises in physical preparation for both able-bodied and Paralympic athletes.

Beyond the training camp, Bardine will lead the technical crew of Team Nigeria during the African Championships in Lagos.

President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, expressed his  excitement about the development, emphasising the federation’s commitment to growing the sport and enhancing the capacity of both athletes and coaches.
“This is one of the many benefits of our international partnership with a top fencing nation. Bringing a coach of Bardine’s calibre to Nigeria is not only cost-effective but also impactful, as it allows our coaches and athletes, both local and foreign-based, to learn directly from a world-class expert,” Samuel said.

“We remain committed to seeking more support from both the private and public sectors as we work toward our ultimate goal: qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles,” Samuel said.

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Following the provisional hosting rights granted to Nigeria a few months ago, the Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) has formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships to the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) ahead of Australia. This makes Nigeria the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament.

In a letter issued on Thursday, March 27, signed 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 rights to Nigeria after reviewing the Technical Committee’s report.

The letter stated, “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 discussion, 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.”

The statement added, “This additional information was submitted to the CFF Technical Committee and reviewed at their meeting on March 19, 2025.
The committee delivered its recommendations to the Board, and these were discussed at the CFF Board meeting of March 27, 2025, after which it was agreed, by majority decision of the Board, to formally award the 2026 CFF Senior-Veteran Championships to the Nigerian Fencing Federation.

The CFF congratulates the Nigerian Fencing Federation on being named host of these championships and wishes them every success in this endeavour.”

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

“We bid 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.

“We are humbled by this honour to host the prestigious tournament, and we will 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.

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Nigeria made history by being awarded the hosting rights for 2026 Commonwealth Senior and Veterans Fencing Championships. It will be the first African country to host this prestigious event.

The Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) conditionally approved Nigeria’s bid, with certain conditions to be met for the 2026 tournament.

This achievement follows Nigeria’s successful hosting of the Fencing World Cup last year, the first time a Sub-Saharan African country hosted such an event. Over 10 countries participated in the World Cup, which Charter House Lagos hosted, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia dominating.

Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, expressed his delight, stating, “We competed against Australia, a nation that has hosted the Commonwealth Championships three times and is among the most experienced globally. This achievement reflects the strength of our bid and Nigeria’s growing respect on the international stage.”

He added, “Over 10 months, every aspect of our bid underwent thorough review, culminating in December’s final technical visit during our successful hosting of a Fencing World Cup. This event will likely be the largest in Nigeria’s sporting history, with an estimated 600+ athletes from over 30 countries.”

Samuel continued, “This is the biggest news for the Nigerian fencing community. Hosting such a prestigious tournament allows us to compete with some of the best fencing nations in the Commonwealth.

“We are thrilled and motivated to continue growing and popularising the sport.
Our efforts during the last World Cup showed we could host this tournament.

“The management of Charter House has pledged their full support, and we will seek more private sector backing to ensure a successful event. Hosting this tournament will also help our fencers compete with the best in the world as they aim to secure tickets to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.”

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