By Vishal Bharti (Exclusive)
Jammu, July 17 (UNI) Admitting that the graph of fencing has moved upward in the last couple of years, Secretary General, Fencing Association of India (FAI) Rajeev Mehta has said that the Asian Junior (U-20) Men and Women and Cadet (U-17) Boys and Girls Fencing Championships that will be hosted by India in March-April next year will be a milestone for the Indian fencing.
Expressing a pleasure on FAI's successful bid to host the prestigious championships, he said, "We are hosting the Asian Junior (U-20) Men and Women and Cadet (U-17) Boys and Girls Fencing Championships in Gujarat in 2023 in the month of March-April and we are on our toes to make this gala event a grand success."
“We are quite sure of hosting successful event and it will be a milestone for the Indian Fencing to take this sport to the next level,” confident Mehta said.
“Our preparations are in full swing and in collaboration with the Gujarat Government and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), we are organising the championships.
Moreover, many sponsors have also come forward extending support for the successful conduct of the prestigious competitions,” Mehta told UNI.
Notably, FAI made a successful bid to host the Asian Junior (U-20) Men and Women and Cadet (U-17) Boys and Girls Fencing Championships 2023 during the Annual General Body Meeting of Fencing Confederation of Asia held at Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai, UAE in April this year.
The bid was submitted by Rajeev Mehta as the Secretary General, Fencing Association of India and the same was unanimously passed in favour of India.
The host city will be Ahmedabad, Gujarat, or New Delhi and the championships will take place in the month of March-April 2023.
Mehta, who is also the Secretary General, India Olympic Association (IOA) sharing the future endeavours stated, “Depending upon the results in the Asian Junior Championships, we are also eyeing to host the Fencing World Cup for which deliberations are in progress. Let’s see how things mature.”
Showering praises, the FAI official said that the graph of Fencing has grown in the last two years and a lot of enthusiasm can be seen among the fencers.
“Many parents have also shown keen interest in the sport of Fencing and they want their wards to join the sport, which is a positive sign indeed,” expressed Mehta, adding, “across the country, one can see parents accompanying budding fencers reaching the training centres during training sessions.”
“Fencing is an expensive game because the equipment is costly but, with the help of the government, we are trying to provide piste at all district levels," he said.
Mehta revealed, "last time piste was provided to 50 districts and our future goal is to provide this pricey equipment to more than 100 districts in coming days to provide further boost to the game."
The piste, or fencing strip, made of metal or another conductive material, is between 1.5 and 2 metres wide and 14 metres long, with an extension, or runback, of 1.5 metres at either end.
"The way we are focusing, I am sure that in the next few years, fencing will give marvelous results and achieve new heights in the country. We will positively see results in the 2024 Olympics," he assured.
On a query whether ace fencer Bhawani Devi has been a trendsetter in Indian Fencing after qualifying for the 2020 Olympics, Mehta said, "Bhawani Devi is a phenomenal fencer and she gave new identity to Indian fencing. I must say that she has inspired many youngsters to join this combat sport. She gave a good start to fencing players in the country and encouraged them towards this format."
Bhavani is the first Indian fencer to ever qualify for the Olympics after qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
"And, we are quite hopeful that inspired from the torch bearer Bhawani Devi, 2 to 3 fencers will qualify in 2024 Olympics,” jubilant Mehta added.
Paris will host the Olympic Games 2024.
Mehta, however, as IOA Secretary General on Saturday also announced a 322-strong squad including 215 athletes and 107 officials and support staff, for the Birmingham Commonwealth (CWG) Games scheduled from July 28.
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