Blind Sambo Champion Suleimon’s Historic Feat Puts Nigeria’s Support System in Spotlight

Suleimon has said that the international recognition she has earned has not yet been matched by adequate support at home.

However, her victory marks the latest milestone in Nigeria’s growing presence in the sport.

Two years ago, Samuel Oladele Kekere became the first blind African to compete at the World Sambo Championships in Kazakhstan, and Sodiq Ajibade followed that with a bronze medal at last year’s edition in Kyrgyzstan.

“Despite making Nigeria and the whole of Africa proud, there is nothing to show for it,” Suleimon said.

Her concerns reflect wider complaints from Nigerian para-athletes about limited funding, inadequate specialist facilities and insufficient institutional backing, despite their achievements.

Sherif Hammed, vice-president of the Sambo Association of Nigeria, says a lack of resources can prevent talented athletes from reaching their full potential.

“When athletes do not have facilities to train, they cannot compete at the world level,” he said.

“It is quite disheartening and heartbreaking.”

“People with disabilities, particularly visually impaired athletes, sometimes feel that because of their challenges, they have no purpose in life.”

For Suleimon, a Lagos State judo champion, the journey to training is also difficult. Travelling across the city and covering transport costs make maintaining a demanding schedule challenging.

“I leave home at 5.30am to make it to training on time,” she explained.

“It takes a lot of money and sacrifice.”

Suleimon was unable to follow up her World Cup success at the World Sambo Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where blind women were again scheduled to compete for the first time.

Beaten in Friday’s opening round by Moldova’s Ina Cernei, she still hopes her exploits on the global stage can inspire others.

“I want to encourage my fellow blind Africans to believe they can do it,” said Suleimon. “And I want to make my country proud again.”

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