‘Private operators, others to benefit from Africa Fencing Championship’

The African Fencing Championship scheduled to hold for the first time in Nigeria is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, social influencers and companies to leverage on the sports space provided by the country. This was stated by the Nigerian Fencing Federation (NFF).

Nigeria won the rights to host the 2018 Junior/Cadet African Fencing Championships in Lagos, which will hold from February 26 to March 5 in Lagos.In a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday, the NFF expressed satisfaction with the excited generated by the competition among journalists and other sports enthusiasts, saying it is an opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to invest in something new.

“Social influencers would tap into the classic and aesthetic appeal of the game of fencing to create social activities and opportunities to boost their brands and businesses.

“With the official endorsement of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, several top International (FIE Delegates) and local dignitaries will be present, including the world richest Russian and FIE President (Alisher Usmanov).

“As Nigeria opens its doors to over 150 countries to attend this epic event; it invariably opens vistas of opportunities to the tourism industry. The ever-ready-to-do-business crowd in Lagos, Nigeria would make good of this opportunity. In the end it would not only be the fencing contestants that wins, but the citizens of Nigeria who benefits from the corporate, social and economic outcome of the elite sports tournament,” it added.

The statement described the J/C AFC as “an internationally recognized and FIE (Switzerland) approved tournament that provides a platform for fencers across Africa’s 31 registered nations to compete for World points; leading them to the Olympics.

“The tournament will pull in thousands of fencers, delegates and spectators from all other African countries inclusive of Nigeria.” According to the statement, participating nations comprise all registered African countries, being a minimum of 150 fencers. Fencing is one of the five sports featured in the Olympics and modern Pentathlon. The tournament is expected to draw in a diverse crowd, especially from the expatriate community at indoor hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, which sits a capacity of 3,000 – 4,000 spectators.