Nigeria's top armwrestlers will compete in the Lagos Open 2026 Championship from April 9 to 12. The event doubles as the official selection trial for Team Nigeria ahead of the African Armwrestling Championship in Ghana. That continental competition serves as the qualifier for the 2027 African Games in Egypt. Samuel Jackson, president of the Nigerian Armwrestling Federation, said the goal is to send the strongest possible team to Ghana. "We have set out to present the strongest team for Nigeria in Ghana. Our intention is to go stronger into Ghana, in order to select a quality number of athletes who will qualify for Egypt," he stated.
Jackson thanked the National Sports Commission and the Lagos State Sports Commission for their support. He credited their involvement as instrumental in advancing the sport nationally. He also appealed to corporate bodies and individuals to increase sponsorship. "With the right backing, we can confidently guarantee gold medals for Nigeria at the next African Games," he said. With rising competition across Africa, the Lagos trials are seen as a critical test for athletes aiming to represent the country.
Samuel Jackson's confidence in securing gold at the 2027 African Games hinges on sponsorships that have yet to materialize. Without private sector support, Nigeria's armwrestlers may arrive in Ghana underprepared. A strong showing in Lagos means little if funding gaps undermine training and logistics. For Nigerian athletes, national pride now depends on corporate goodwill.
