Blind SAMBO in Nigeria: A Sport That Breaks Boundaries

The development of SAMBO for blind and visually impaired athletes remains one of the key priorities of the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) across all continents. Nigeria has become a vivid example of this global effort, where the national federation has begun actively promoting the discipline, uniting athletes and opening new opportunities for them.

On August 14, a training session was held at Rowepark Dojo with the participation of blind and visually impaired sambists. Both men and women took to the mat to refine their techniques, build strength, and prove that the spirit of combat is stronger than any limitation.

“They may not see the mat, but they feel every move, every victory, every moment. These training sessions show that no barrier can stop true determination,” said Sheriff Hamed, Vice President and Secretary General of the Nigerian SAMBO Federation.

The recognition of FIAS by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as a Recognized International Federation marked an important milestone for the entire movement. This status confirmed the significance of work done to develop SAMBO for blind and visually impaired athletes and opened new perspectives for the discipline’s further growth on the international stage.

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov emphasized that these athletes, who step onto the mat despite their limitations, serve as true role models for society:

“Our athletes command deep respect. Their courage and determination clearly show that human potential goes far beyond physical boundaries.”

Over the past two years, the discipline has firmly established itself on the international sports calendar. In 2023, competitions for blind and visually impaired sambists were included for the first time in the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships in Astana, and later featured at the World Combat Games in Riyadh. In 2024, the Kazakh capital once again hosted a historic moment as medals in this discipline were awarded at the World SAMBO Championships for the very first time. In 2025, Blind SAMBO competitions will gain a foothold in the World Championships program in Kyrgyzstan.