Nigeria is set to make history as it participates for the first time in the 2024 World Sambo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, from November 6 to 10, following a successful performance at the African Beach Sambo Championships in Morocco.
The Nigerian team, led by visually impaired sambist Samuel Oladele Kekere, will compete alongside athletes from 79 other nations at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace.
The Nigerian squad also includes African women’s champion Charity Jatau, James Chegwam, and Alani Balogun, all under the guidance of Lagos State coach Gbenga Montana.
Sheriff Hammed, Vice President and General Secretary of the Sambo Association of Nigeria, emphasized the significance of Nigeria’s participation, particularly noting Kekere as the only African competitor in the blind category.
“It’s inspiring them. Despite the obstacles they face, they can earn a living, achieve personal goals, and take pride in their accomplishments. It’s truly remarkable,” Hammed stated in an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra.
The championship will include various events such as men’s and women’s sport sambo, combat sambo, and, for the first time, men’s SVI-1 blind sambo for totally blind athletes, with 31 medals available to be won.
Roman Novikov, Chairman of the FIAS Commission for Athletes with Disabilities, confirmed Kekere’s eligibility, saying, “Your athlete meets the international classification criteria for blind sambo in class SVI-1.”
This tournament will serve as the last qualifying event for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China. However, Hammed pointed out funding issues, revealing that the athletes are currently self-financing their participation while urging support from the government, individuals, and both corporate and private organizations. The Lagos State Public Works has promised to back the team’s involvement in the championship.
International Sambo Federation President Vasily Shestakov commended the inclusion of blind athletes, stating, “Sambists with disabilities demonstrate remarkable determination to compete equally, showcasing their resilience and strength of character.”
