Oman and Kenya are the latest teams to join the list of participating countries for the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup, scheduled for December 14-15 at Charterhouse Lagos.
The Asian contingent registered at the last minute for the first Fencing World Cup to be staged in Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to improve their world ranking in the International Fencing Federation (FIE)-sanctioned tournament. Oman will be represented by Al Harith Salim, who will be accompanied by his coach.
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Kenya is arriving in Lagos with a 12-man team as part of their preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup, which will also take place in Lagos.
The East African nation, which is rapidly gaining recognition in the sport, joins other participating countries such as Benin Republic, Togo, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and host Nigeria. The Saudi Arabian team, led by Hassan Abed, will feature a four-man squad.
Additionally, a strong eight-man team from Egypt, the top African fencing nation, is expected to arrive in Lagos this week to reaffirm their dominance as the best-ranked team in the competition.
For America-based fencing world champion Mahmoud Elsayed of Egypt, the tournament holds significant importance for his world ranking and his position on the Egyptian team.
“The competition is crucial to both my world ranking and my place on the Egyptian national fencing team,” he said.
All preparations have been finalized for Charterhouse to host its first international sports tournament.
The Nigeria Fencing Federation aims to use the event to ignite a passion for fencing among young people across the country.
Adeyinka Samuel of the Nigeria Fencing Federation stated, “We are ready to host the world this week as months of preparation will be put to the test with the staging of the first World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We hope this will spark greater interest in the sport and attract support from individuals and corporate organizations.
“We are excited about the quality of athletes coming to Lagos and hope our athletes compete favorably against top fencers, especially from Egypt and Hong Kong.”
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