Africa’s first Wheelchair Fencing Academy opens in Lagos News

The Nigeria Fencing Federation has launched the first-ever Wheelchair Fencing Academy in Africa, welcoming participants from across the globe to the 2026 ENABLE Wheelchair Fencing Academy, hosted by World Abilitysport in collaboration with the Commonwealth Fencing Federation.

Running from Wednesday, August 5 to Friday, August 7 at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Academy will welcome athletes, coaches, referees, and volunteers from Liberia, Gambia, Brazil, Namibia, the USA/ UK, Rwanda, Togo, Botswana, and host nation Nigeria.

ENABLE—short for Empowering New Abilities—is REACH Africa’s inclusion initiative dedicated to transforming lives through adaptive sport, education, leadership, and opportunity. The programme aims to create sustainable pathways for persons with disabilities to participate, compete, and excel in wheelchair fencing, while promoting inclusion across communities.

Over three days, participants will receive intensive training in fencing techniques, coaching methodologies, competition rules, athlete classification, and officiating.

The programme is led by Tonye Sawari, Programme Lead for the ENABLE Initiative, coordinating preparations for Nigeria’s Para team and Commonwealth nations ahead of the Championships. Training sessions will be conducted by Ivan Schwantes, World Para Fencing Coaching Representative, alongside international educators committed to expanding wheelchair fencing across Africa and the Commonwealth.

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

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Harry Cootes, Acting Chief Executive Officer of World Abilitysport, 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.”

REACH Africa Chairperson, Rachael Samuel, described the launch of ENABLE as a defining moment for inclusive sport in Nigeria: “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 broader mission to use education, sport, and skills development to transform lives while creating sustainable opportunities for underserved communities. As

Nigeria prepares to host athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth, the Academy and Championships are expected to leave a lasting legacy—expanding wheelchair fencing, developing local expertise, and demonstrating Africa’s commitment to inclusive sport and equal opportunity for all.