National fencing coach, Ibrahim Alogba, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will make a strong impression at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos as preparations continue for the competition.
Alogba said that the country’s fencing team had continued to improve and was determined to compete well against more experienced nations.
He said Nigeria might still be developing in fencing when compared with countries that had spent many years in the sport, but the progress made by Nigerian athletes in recent years had been encouraging.
According to him, the focus remains on building a disciplined and competitive team that can proudly represent the country and challenge strongly on the international stage.
“We are preparing seriously and our athletes understand the importance of this championship because it will be hosted here in Lagos.
“Our goal is to put together a team that is focused, disciplined and ready to compete at a high level.
“We know there are countries with more experience than us, but we are improving steadily and the athletes are becoming more confident with every competition,” he said.
Alogba said one of the biggest factors behind the improvement in the team had been international exposure.
He said that Nigerian fencers who had competed outside the country were beginning to understand better what top-level fencing required.
He said international tournaments had helped the athletes improve their concentration, tactical decisions and ability to remain calm under pressure.
“Competing abroad has helped our fencers a lot because they now understand the speed, discipline and consistency needed at the highest level.
“It has also helped them believe more in themselves because they have seen that the gap is not impossible to close.
“With the right preparation and the right mindset on competition day, we can compete strongly and challenge top teams,” he said.
The coach said while medals could not be guaranteed in sports, the team remained hopeful and fully committed to delivering strong performances.
He added that the immediate target was to reach the advanced stages of the championship and gain valuable results from there.
“For us, every competition is an opportunity to improve and become stronger.
“If we can execute our plans well and stay focused, we believe we can go far and make Nigerians proud,” he said.
Alogba also said the 2025 African Championships gave the team useful lessons and helped the athletes understand the level required to compete against the continent’s best.
He noted that the experience also exposed areas where more work was needed while increasing the team’s confidence ahead of future competitions.
The coach acknowledged the challenge of managing athletes based in Nigeria and others living abroad, but said regular communication and proper structure had made coordination easier.
He said home-based athletes continued to receive steady training locally, while foreign-based athletes also remained connected with the national team and followed expected standards.
“We keep close contact with the athletes outside Nigeria and their international experience is important for the team.
“The goal is to have one standard and one clear direction no matter where the athletes are based,” he said.
Alogba said Nigeria would also take part in the 2026 African Championships in Abidjan later this month as part of efforts to improve performance, gain more exposure and boost rankings.
He said the final list for that competition would be decided based on form, fitness and readiness.
He added that the technical crew remained focused on fielding the strongest possible team while continuing to build for the future.
Alogba expressed optimism that with continued hard work and support, Nigerian fencing would continue to grow and compete better internationally.
He said the country was not preparing only to host the Commonwealth Championships, but also to make a lasting impact.
“We are not going there just to participate.
“We want to compete well, gain more experience and show that Nigerian fencing is moving forward,” he said.
