World Abilitysport, the governing body of World Para Fencing, in partnership with the Commonwealth Fencing Federation and supported by the Nigeria Fencing Federation, is offering 10 athletes and eight coaches from seven countries, and nine personnel in total from the host nation, the chance to learn, train and compete from 5-7 August. 

Participants from Botswana, Gambia, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Togo will receive expert insights from World Para Fencing’s Coaches’ Representative Ivan Schwantes. Singapore are also attending independently, taking the opportunity to build their programme. 

Beyond the knowledge shared, which is designed to build capacity in each country and bring more athletes to compete on the world stage, the impact of the Academy will be particularly felt in Nigeria. Two fencing frames will be left in the country for use by the Nigerian Fencing Federation who have developed a legacy plan for their long-term use. 

Harry Cootes, World Abilitysport’s Head of Sport, said: “The Wheelchair Fencing Academy in Lagos represents a big step for the sport not only in Africa but globally. We received a huge level of interest in attending, which is a very encouraging sign for the future.  

“We strive to bring wheelchair fencing to as many countries as possible and have seen lots of new fencers and nations competing in recent years, following on from previous academies in India and Brazil. Thanks to support from the International Paralympic Committee’s Sport Technical Training Grant, we’re also able to leave equipment in Africa, in Nigeria, which will give the National Federation a big boost to continue their growth and practical help to work with their colleagues in other nations. 

“We would like to thank them, the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, the Nigeria Fencing Federation and all the participating countries for their collaboration in helping us to accelerate the development of wheelchair fencing in Africa.” 

Athletes and coaches will begin their activities in Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday with theoretical sessions on classification, health, refereeing and the rules of wheelchair fencing. Practical sessions on equipment, equipment adaptations and the principles of training in groups and individually will then follow. The Academy will come to a climax on Thursday with a morning of combat experiences followed by a friendly competition. 

Some teams will then stay on for a dedicated competition at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships, also taking place in Lagos, from 9-14 August. 

The 2026 Wheelchair Fencing Academy takes place from 5-7 August and follows previous editions in 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and 2022 in Bengaluru, India.