Nigeria, Saudi Arabia to Collaborate on Sambo Devt

The Nigeria Sambo Association has entered into a strategic partnership with the Saudi Sambo Committee under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Sport to advance martial arts in both countries.

 This collaboration was initiated by the Saudi Government, impressed by Nigeria’s remarkable achievements in Sambo over the past 10 months, establishing Nigeria as a formidable force in Africa.

Nigeria’s debut in international Sambo was at the 2023 African Games in Ghana, where Sambo was featured as a demonstration sport. The four-man Nigerian team won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.

The team also competed in the African Championships in Egypt, the World Beach Championships in Morocco, and the recent World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Notably, Nigeria became the first African country to present a blind athlete at the 2024 World Championships.

Sheriff Hammed, Vice President of the Sambo Association of Nigeria, stated that Nigeria’s significant progress impressed the Saudi authorities, leading to this partnership aimed at technical exchange between the two nations.

In a letter signed by Ahmed Saud, CEO of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Sport, and addressed to the Sambo Association of Nigeria, the collaboration was deemed necessary following a productive meeting between the two nations in Astana.

Saud expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the development of Sambo, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in promoting the sport.

He highlighted that strengthening the relationship between the sports federations would enhance performance levels and spread the culture of Sambo more broadly.

“We are eager to strengthen and develop this relationship on all fronts to serve the sport and elevate the level of competition. We look forward to further fruitful collaboration and are excited to exchange ideas and experiences that will support the sport of Sambo,” Saud added.

An enthusiastic Hammed noted that Nigeria has become a rallying point for other nations, especially with the strides made in the last 12 months.