The Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) has formally awarded the hosting right for the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships to the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) ahead of Australia.

The award followed the provisional hosting right granted to Nigeria a few months ago making her the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament.

This is contained in a letter signed and issued on Sunday 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 right to Nigeria after reviewing the Technical Committee’s report.

“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 discussions, 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.

“This additional information was submitted to the CFF Technical Committee and reviewed at their meeting on March 19.

“The committee delivered its recommendations to the Board, which was discussed at the CFF Board meeting of March 27.

“After, it was agreed, by majority decision of the Board, to formally award the 2026 CFF Senior-Veteran Championships to the Nigerian Fencing Federation,” the letter reads.

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.(NAN)