Nigeria is set to make history by participating in the 2024 World Sambo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, from November 6 to 10. This milestone follows the country’s remarkable performance at the African Beach Sambo Championships held in Morocco, where Nigerian athletes showcased their strength and determination.
Leading the Nigerian contingent is Samuel Oladele Kekere, a blind sambist who will represent Africa in the inaugural men’s SVI-1 blind sambo category at the world level.
Kekere will be joined by African women’s champion Charity Jatau, as well as James Chegwam and Alani Balogun, under the guidance of Lagos State coach Gbenga Montana. The team will compete alongside athletes from 79 other countries at the renowned Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Kazakhstan.
Sambo Association of Nigeria Vice President and General Secretary, Sheriff Hammed, explained Nigeria’s participation as groundbreaking, particularly with Kekere being Africa’s sole representative in the blind event.
“It’s giving them hope. Despite their challenges, they can make a living, do something for themselves, and make themselves proud. It’s quite amazing,” Hammed said.
The championship will feature men’s and women’s sport sambo, combat sambo, and for the first time, men’s SVI-1 (totally blind athletes) blind sambo, with 31 medals up for grabs.
FIAS Commission for Athletes with Disabilities Chairman, Roman Novikov, has confirmed Kekere’s eligibility, stating, “Your athlete meets the criteria of the international classification rules for blind sambo in class SVI-1.”
The tournament will serve as the final qualifying event for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China.
Hammed, however, highlighted funding challenges, revealing that participation is currently self-sponsored while calling for support from government, individuals, as well as corporate and private organisations.
The Lagos State Public Works has pledged support for the team’s participation at the championship.
International Sambo Federation President Vasily Shestakov praised the inclusion of blind athletes, saying, “Sambists with health limitations show great desire to compete on an equal basis, demonstrating their steely will and fortitude.”
