Nigeria is set to make history as the first African country to feature a blind athlete in the 2024 World Sambo Championships, scheduled for Astana, Kazakhstan.
With Blind Sambo making its debut at the championships, Samuel Kekere is reported to represent Nigeria and the continent, marking a historic milestone in the sport.
According to a report by The Nation newspaper on Thursday, November 7, 2024, Mr Kekere, an orange-belt Judoka from Lagos State, took up combat sports four years ago and will compete in the men’s SVI-1 class, designed for totally blind athletes.
His participation has been officially confirmed by Roman Novikov, Chairman of the FIAS Commission for Athletes with Disabilities, and Sheriff Hammed, Vice President and General Secretary of the Sambo Association of Nigeria, who expressed excitement over this pioneering opportunity.
The inclusion of a blind athlete from Africa in an international Sambo competition is seen as a breakthrough for adaptive sports representation on the continent.
Mr Kekere will compete in the men’s 64kg category, while James Chegwam and Chairy Jatau will also represent Nigeria in the main event from November 8 to 10, 2024, at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Astana.
Athletes from 80 countries will vie for 31 medals over the three-day tournament.
Supported by Samsideen Ajala, Chairman of the Lagos State Road Transport Employee Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Nigeria’s contingent departed on November 6, 2024, aboard Turkish Airlines, filled with optimism about returning with medals.
