The Nigeria Fencing Federation has officially unveiled the logo and mascot for the 2026 Senior Commonwealth Fencing Championships, marking the first time this prestigious event will be hosted on African soil.
The unveiling ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Rugby School in Lagos, also served as the formal kick-off for preparations leading up to the championships, scheduled to take place from August 9th – 14th.
Following the successful hosting of two major international tournaments in the past two years, the International Fencing Federation (FIE)-sanctioned World Cup and the African Championships.
Nigeria now joins South Africa as the only African nations to stage the Commonwealth Championships. South Africa previously hosted the junior edition in 2022.
The quadrennial championships, last held in England at the University of East London (UEL) Sportsdock, will bring together top fencing squads from across the Commonwealth to compete for glory in Lagos.
Nigeria Fencing Federation president, Adeyinka Samuel, described the hosting rights as a proud moment for Nigerian sport, noting that Nigeria won the bid ahead of Australia. He emphasised that this achievement reflects the remarkable growth of fencing in the country.
“Today is a proud moment for Nigerian sport as we officially launch the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, a historic event that will bring the Commonwealth fencing family to Nigeria for the very first time,” Samuel stated.
“This achievement reflects the remarkable growth of fencing in our country and the confidence that the international sporting community has placed in Nigeria’s ability to host a world-class championship.”
“This championship is about much more than medals. It is about creating opportunities, inspiring young people, promoting international friendship, and showcasing the very best of Nigeria to the world,” he said.
Samuel expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, World Abilitysport, sponsors, partners, and supporters whose commitment made the hosting rights possible.
He added that the tournament would leave a lasting legacy by introducing thousands of young Nigerians to fencing, developing coaches and officials, and creating pathways for education, leadership, and international competition.
Call for Local Support
The Vice President of the federation, Rachael Samuel, described the landmark competition as an indication of the support and respect the federation enjoys from the international community, while calling for the same recognition at home.
“This landmark competition will be another open door for us. We have a lot of support and respect from the international community, and we want that same respect and support in our home country, in Nigeria,” she said.
“We do need more support, we do need more stakeholders, we do need more participation, and we do need people to recognise that this is a win for Nigeria.”
“We have to make sure that we see it through and it’s successful, and all our guests coming from 36 nations experience the finest that we have to offer in hospitality, culture, tourism, and most of all, in sports,” she stated.
She further highlighted the importance of grassroots programmes, school initiatives, coach development pathways, and partnerships with organisations such as Reach Africa, UNICEF, World Abilitysport, The Future of Fencing, and the International Fencing Federation.
According to her, these efforts will ensure sustainable growth for fencing in Nigeria while showcasing the country’s hospitality, vibrant culture, and organisational capacity.
A representative of the NOC, Emmanuel Nweri commended the federation’s visible progress over the past five years and pledged continued support in its quest for recognition by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Representing the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) Director General, Lekan Fatodu, Technical Director Ifeoluwa Ogunlaja reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the federation and strengthening Lagos’ status as Africa’s sports hub.
Dr. Joy Isa, Director of Marketing and Admissions at Rugby School, Lagos, emphasised that hosting the tournament aligns with the school’s vision of moulding well-rounded students through sports. She assured that the school is ready to welcome athletes and visitors during the event.
Meet the Mascots: Gidi and Lasi
The highlight of the day was the unveiling of the championship mascots—two eagle characters dressed as fencers, with the words ‘Gidi’ and ‘Lasi’ inscribed on each.
Chairman of the Sponsorship Committee of the Local Organising Committee, Olaitan Ogunbiyi, explained the inspiration behind the characters and their names.
“We needed to have some sort of icon that embodies our core values, strength, resilience, teamwork, and an unshakeable, obstacle-winning spirit for our team. We needed a character that will cheer us on during our victories and during our toughest challenges,” he said.
“There are two characters: one embodies the male participants, and the other embodies the female participants. The male character is called Gidi, while the female character is called Lasi.”
“They represent the heartbeat of our community, and just like the eagle, this mascot reminds us to aim high and soar above all our limits.”
“They are very vibrant, and they represent a bright future, not just for fencing in Nigeria, but also for sports in Nigeria as well. This also shows our willingness to conquer this competition the way we’ve done in the past. So, the wait is here, the final is finally over,” he noted.
Some of the fencers have already expressed their readiness to compete in the championships, which will be preceded by para fencing events, also a first for Nigeria, on August 4th. The para-fencing programme will be accompanied by clinics for officials supported by World Abilitysport.
