Nigeria has recorded a landmark second on the worldwide sporting stage after Alade Ajibade made historical past on the 2025 World SAMBO Championships in Bishkek, Uzbekistan, turning into the primary Nigerian — and the primary African — to win a medal in blind SAMBO.
Competing within the males’s -98kg class, Ajibade clinched bronze on his worldwide debut, etching his identify into continental sporting historical past and delivering a defining second for adaptive sports activities growth in Africa.
Ajibade’s achievement stood tall amongst Nigeria’s three-man delegation, incomes excessive reward from Sheriff Hammed, Vice President of the Sambo Associations of Nigeria, and one of many main voices advancing SAMBO and blind SAMBO throughout the continent.
“This achievement is really historic and deeply inspiring,” Hammed mentioned. “It displays the resilience and expertise of our athletes and the rising recognition of Africa’s potential in adaptive sports activities. With the best assist and alternative, our athletes — no matter capacity — can compete and excel on the world stage.”
Nigeria Secures Full Membership Standing in FIAS
In one other milestone that additional cements Nigeria’s rising profile within the sport, the nation was formally admitted as a full member of the Worldwide SAMBO Federation (FIAS) through the physique’s thirty seventh Elective Congress.
Nigeria was admitted alongside Togo, the Maldives, the Central African SAMBO Federation, and the SAMBO Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after receiving majority votes from international delegates as a brand new Government Board was constituted.
Hammed described the complete membership standing as a game-changing growth:
“Nigeria’s membership in FIAS marks a major milestone for the expansion of SAMBO in our nation. It opens doorways to worldwide competitions, technical assist, and capability constructing for athletes, referees, and coaches. We now compete with full recognition, visibility, and pleasure.”
He famous that the membership elevates Nigeria’s credibility within the international sporting enviornment, strengthens sports activities diplomacy, and can speed up youth growth, expertise identification, and the institutionalisation of SAMBO nationwide.
FIAS Confirms International Development of SAMBO
FIAS President Vasily Shestakov, in his deal with on the Congress, highlighted strategic developments achieved by the federation lately. Key amongst them was:
Fight SAMBO’s debut at The World Video games 2025 in Chengdu
Official recognition of FIAS by the Worldwide Paralympic Committee
Inclusion of SAMBO within the Worldwide Army Sports activities Council (CISM) calendar
Fast enlargement of SAMBO’s recognition throughout all continents
A Defining Second for Africa in Adaptive Sports activities
Ajibade’s medal and Nigeria’s FIAS elevation signify a twin victory: a breakthrough for African illustration in adaptive sports activities, and a structural leap for SAMBO’s future on the continent.
With historical past now written in Bishkek, Nigeria has not solely impressed a brand new era of adaptive athletes but in addition positioned itself as a rising powerhouse for SAMBO in Africa — with momentum, legitimacy, and international recognition now firmly on its aspect.
