Nigeria opens Africa's first Wheelchair Fencing Academy

The Nigeria Fencing Federation has opened Africa’s first Wheelchair Fencing Academy. This event is part of the 2026 ENABLE Wheelchair Fencing Academy. It is hosted by World Abilitysport and the Commonwealth Fencing Federation.

The Academy runs from Wednesday, August 5 to Friday, August 7 at Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos. Athletes, coaches, referees, and volunteers from Liberia, Gambia, Brazil, Namibia, the USA, UK, Rwanda, Togo, Botswana, and Nigeria will participate.

ENABLE stands for Empowering New Abilities. It is an initiative by REACH Africa to help people with disabilities through adaptive sports, education, and leadership. The goal is to create pathways for these individuals to join, compete, and succeed in wheelchair fencing while promoting inclusion in communities.

Over three days, participants will get intensive training in fencing techniques, coaching methods, competition rules, athlete classification, and officiating. There will also be a special seminar for referee education.

Tonye Sawari leads the programme. He is the Programme Lead for the ENABLE Initiative. He is coordinating Nigeria’s Para team and Commonwealth nations for the Championships. Training will be led by Ivan Schwantes, a World Para Fencing Coaching Representative, along with international educators who want to grow wheelchair fencing across Africa and the Commonwealth.

After the Academy, athletes will compete in individual and team events in foil and epee at the Commonwealth Championships.

Harry Cootes, Acting Chief Executive Officer of World Abilitysport, spoke about the importance of this project. He said, “A driving force behind our work is ensuring that fencing is accessible to as many people with disabilities as possible. The Wheelchair Fencing Academy, now in its fifth year, has created opportunities for athletes and coaches in emerging nations, and we are excited to bring that impact to Africa for the very first time.”

Rachael Samuel, Chairperson of REACH Africa, called the launch of ENABLE a key moment for inclusive sports in Nigeria. She said, “ENABLE represents far more than a training programme. It is a commitment to ensuring that every young person, regardless of physical ability, has access to opportunity, dignity, and excellence through sport.

“By partnering with World Abilitysport, the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, and the Nigeria Fencing Federation, we are building a sustainable pathway that identifies talent, develops coaches, empowers communities, and creates future Paralympians.”

The ENABLE Academy is part of REACH Africa’s larger mission to use education, sports, and skill development to change lives. It aims to create lasting opportunities for underserved communities. As Nigeria prepares to welcome athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth, the Academy and Championships are expected to have a lasting impact. The goal is to grow wheelchair fencing, develop local expertise, and show Africa’s commitment to inclusive sports and equal opportunity for all.