First Vice President of the Nigeria Archery Federation (NAFED) and Chairman of its Marketing Committee, Ambassador Augustine Chigbolu, has expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s readiness for the 15th African Archery Championships in Oran, Algeria, declaring that the nation’s contingent is in high spirits and fully prepared to challenge for honours.
The 25-member Nigerian delegation arrived in Oran on Sunday ahead of the continental championship, which runs from July 21 to 26 at the Mediterranean Village. The tournament officially commenced on Tuesday with official practice sessions, equipment inspection for all categories and the Team Managers’ Meeting, while qualification rounds are scheduled for July 22.
Speaking ahead of the competition, Chigbolu said the athletes are highly motivated and determined to make Nigeria proud, expressing optimism that the team would build on the country’s recent successes at continental events.
Nigeria is fielding its largest and most balanced squad ever at the African Championships, with athletes competing in the compound, recurve and barebow events for both men and women.
The delegation is led by NAFED President, Mohammed Baba Abdullahi, alongside Ambassador Chigbolu and national coach, Aliyu Garga.
The men’s compound team comprises Aliyu Abubakar, Ogheneovo Odjuwuederhie, Seun Emmanuel Oyeleke and Damilola Bartholomew Sholademi, while Kachollom Larai Enyenihi and Haareke Evans will compete in the women’s compound event.
Nigeria’s recurve squad features Tobi Bello, Tosin Junaid and Francis Okechukwu Okwu in the men’s category, with Dara Dorcas Banjo representing the country in the women’s recurve event.
In the barebow events, Abdul Rahman Obasa, Abdulbasit Sanni, Arulogun Segun Joseph and Abubakar Usman will compete in the men’s division, while Faith Adekogbe, Aminat Adeyemi, Mandu Eteidung and Precious Fanny-Amun will fly Nigeria’s flag in the women’s category.
Following the opening day’s activities, the championships will progress to the qualification rounds on July 22, individual elimination matches on July 23, team and mixed team eliminations on July 24, before the finals and medal presentations bring the competition to a close on July 25 and 26.
Nigeria enters the championships with growing confidence after winning medals at the African Championships in Pretoria in 2022 and Nabeul, Tunisia, in 2023, before claiming gold medals at both the 2025 African Championships and Africa’s inaugural Run Archery Tournament in Abidjan.
As Chairman of the NAFED Marketing Committee, Ambassador Chigbolu also appealed for sustained support from corporate organisations, noting that increased investment in archery would help the federation consolidate its recent achievements and provide greater opportunities for Nigerian athletes to excel on the international stage.
He also expressed profound appreciation to all individuals and organisations that have supported the federation over the years, with special recognition to SBS Nigeria, the official sponsor of Team Nigeria’s jerseys and tracksuits for the Oran 2026 African Archery Championships. Chigbolu described the company’s support as a significant boost to the team’s campaign and urged more corporate bodies to emulate the gesture by investing in the development of archery in Nigeria.
