Louise Lombard, the President of the Fencing Federation of South Africa (FFSA), has voiced strong praise for Nigeria’s readiness to stage the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, arguing that the country has the momentum and organisational capability to deliver an event of the highest standard.
Lombard backs Nigeria’s hosting credentials
- Lombard, a veteran fencing official who has served as an FIE referee and previously as FFSA Secretary General, highlighted Nigeria’s long-term push to expand the sport across the continent.
- Commenting on Nigeria’s preparations, she said she is confident the federation can produce a world-class championship, drawing on her own experiences watching international competitions in the country.
- She pointed to the steady improvement of fencing in Nigeria, adding: “They have continued to grow and improve, so I expect it to be a quality event.”
For South Africa, Lombard stressed that the championships are about far more than chasing medals. She said the tournament will function as an important stepping stone for developing athletes, many of whom are expected to face international competition for the first time.
“We are hoping for a competitive event where some of our fencers will get their first international experience in a positive environment,” Lombard said.
Challenge remains: limited interest from traditional powers
While upbeat about the event’s potential impact, Lombard acknowledged a wider issue facing African fencing: the lack of attention from established fencing nations. She said many leading countries have not yet taken the time to assess Africa’s progress, despite Nigeria previously hosting successfully.
“Unfortunately, many leading fencing countries are still unaware of the growth and potential of African fencing and fail to show up to see what we can do, despite Nigeria having successfully hosted in the past,” she said.
Even with that concern, Lombard said she remains optimistic that the Commonwealth Championships will draw positive interest and help place African fencing on the global map.
South Africa set for strong Lagos presence
South Africa are planning to travel with a large group to Lagos, with experienced fencers among those particularly keen to compete. Although podium finishes will remain a key aim, Lombard underlined that confidence-building and international exposure are the main priorities for the team.
“Medals are always a plus, but we will have many new international fencers, so a positive experience is the primary goal,” she said.
Looking further ahead, Lombard also linked the Commonwealth Championships to another major African-hosted opportunity later this year: the Youth Olympics. She described both events as chances to demonstrate that the continent can successfully stage high-profile competitions.
“We’ve definitely seen new faces at competitions, so the growth looks good,” she said. “We just need to keep showing that we can do it, and the world will see.”
