Background

---

1. Fencing is the most ancient sport in the world, tracking from 1190 B.C.
2. Sport of the Olympiad since inception from 1896.
3. Part of the Commonwealth and Asian Games from 1950 and 1978 respectively.
4. International Fencing Federation (FIE) founded in 1914 (presently with 115 members) and the Asian Fencing Confederation and Commonwealth Fencing Federation formed later.
5. Indian Association was founded in 1974, recognized by Government in 1997 and affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association, Asian Fencing Confederation, Commonwealth Fencing Federation and Federation International D’Escrime (FIE).
6. There are six individual and six team events in three different weapons used in Fencing – Epee, Foil and Sabre.
7. The total number of medals is 48, next only to Aquatics and Athletics.

Promotion

---

1. Sports Authority of India adopted this game under its “Special Area Games Scheme” from 1989 to 1996.
2. One German and two Russian coaches were brought by Sports Authority of India to reinforce the SAG Scheme.
3. During this period the trainees had participated in the World Junior & Cadet Championship in 1995 and the senior team participated in training-cum-competition at Belarus and also in an International meet at Tehran in 1996, where they secured a bronze medal in each tournament.
4. Owing to intensive training in the SAG Scheme, all trainees became National champions in their respective events, later.
5. With the closure of the SAG Scheme by SAI in 1996, the game became dormant.
6. The Association had been holding National competitions in Sub-Junior (1999), Cadet (2004), Junior (1992) and Senior (1986) categories, both for boys/men and girls/women.
7. Had also participated in a few international events, approved by the Government in the recent past.
8. Prior to participation in international events, the Association with the assistance of SAI had been conducting the National Coaching Camp of a limited duration at different venues.
9. Streamlined the functioning of the affiliated units and regulated the pattern and conduct of competition in National Championships.
10. Established an office in J.N. Stadium, New Delhi, for secretarial work.
11. Created a website for the benefit of the sports lovers.
12. Started Diploma and Certificate Courses with the assistance of NS NIS Patiala.
13. Conducted IOC Solidarity Course once in 1996 (Bangalore) and 2003 (Patiala).
14. Complied with all requirements of the IOA and SAI.

Achievement

---

1. Despite lack of equipment, infrastructure and sustained and proper training, the National ranking fencers who had participated in international competitions in the recent past, have had modest performance. Notwithstanding constraint of funds and lack of effective long term training and non-availability of competent and qualified coaches of international calibre and lack of international exposure, the juniors and seniors who had participated in international events are gradually ascending the ranking position, both in international and regional events.
2. The highlights are – the National Junior team both men and women secured 5thplace in Foil event and one of the members secured 6thplace in individual event on their maiden appearance in the Asian Championship. Similarly, in the Commonwealth Championship the Indian team secured 7thplace on their debut. At the World level the juniors and senior participants are gradually improving their ranking position in the world competition, despite many constraints.
3. The Foreign coach who was here on a short spell of two different occasions has prophesized that Indian fencers could do extremely well in international competitions, subject to their sustained training and concerted efforts on a continuous basis over a period of time, keeping in view their inherent talent and physiological attributes.

Action Plan

Programme

A copy of the coaching-cum-competition calendar is attached(Appendix 1). This may please be approved in principle, but it is subject to modification in consultation with the foreign expert.

Equipment

1. Fencing is the most ancient sport in the world, tracking from 1190 B.C.
2. Sport of the Olympiad since inception from 1896.
3. Part of the Commonwealth and Asian Games from 1950 and 1978 respectively.
4. International Fencing Federation (FIE) founded in 1914 (presently with 115 members) and the Asian Fencing Confederation and Commonwealth Fencing Federation formed later.
5. Indian Association was founded in 1974, recognized by Government in 1997 and affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association, Asian Fencing Confederation, Commonwealth Fencing Federation and Federation International D’Escrime (FIE).
6. There are six individual and six team events in three different weapons used in Fencing – Epee, Foil and Sabre.
7. The total number of medals is 48, next only to Aquatics and Athletics.

Coaching

1. This is another major factor, which is affecting the progress of the game.
2. There is no coach of international repute and competence with updated knowledge and technique, available in India. Hence necessity arises for obtaining the services of a foreign coach.
3. Since there are three distinct events in Fencing – Epee, Foil and Sabre – we require the services of a minimum of three coaches, who possess proficiency in these events, individually. If not, we do require at least two coaches – one to impart training in Foil and Epee and the other for Sabre, which are totally distinct and independent events.
4. FAI had projected in their LTDP plan justifying the necessity for obtaining the services of a foreign coach for a period of at least four years at a stretch, right from 1998, but this is yet to materialize.
5. Sporadic attempts to get the services of foreign coach intermittently have resulted in ‘negative’ development of the game.
6. The services of foreign coach will be fully utilised not only for training the National teams to participate in international events, but also attend to academic courses, conduct refresher course for NIS Diploma holders, to update and upgrade their skill and technique, conduct training for technical officials viz. Referees/Judges etc. to facilitate their obtaining A and B category licenses, prescribed by the FIE for officiating in international competitions and spotting out talent etc.

Duration of coaching camp

In the last LTDP Meeting held on 10thMarch, 2004, it wasinter aliadecided to “hold coaching camps of 100 days for Seniors with strength not more than 25 players, 80 days for Juniors with strength not more than 35 players and 60 days for Sub-Juniors with not more than 45 players, in various parts of the country”.

In the coaching camp for seniors we require at least 6 players in each event (Foil, Epee and Sabre) and section viz. men and women, so that we could finally select a team consisting of 4 players each, per event and section. Hence the total number of players to attend the camp will work out to 36 players in total (6 players men x 3 events plus 6 players women x 3 events). It will, therefore, be appreciated that there should be at least 36 players in the first phase of the coaching camp, which will get reduced to 24 in the final phase of the camp and restricted to the selected players for competition in international events.

Similarly, in case of Juniors (less than 20 years of age) as well, the strength should be 36 players instead of 35, and in case of Sub-Juniors (less than 14 years) it should be 48, instead of 45, as with the introduction of ‘Cadet’ group (less than 17 years) event as well along with Sub-Juniors. We may take only the medallists not exceeding 4 in each event and section, in Cadet and Sub-Junior respectively. The number of days of the camp may remain unchanged.

Clinic for Technical Officials:

It is obligatory for participating Nation to depute a minimum of two qualified A or B category officials to accompany the National team for participation in international events, failing which they have to pay a penalty of US $500 per head to the organizers. – On date FAI have no international qualified Referees. This proves to be a great deterrent. Hence the necessity to conduct/attend training programmed for officials to qualify as international Referees. In this context the following proposals are made for consideration and approval. On a proposal made by the FAI earlier the SAI had agreed to extend necessary assistance for holding a clinic and had desired that FAI may invite an Expert from the International Fencing Federation (LTDP-7.3.2003, para 6 refers). FIE have since agreed to provide an Expert for the purpose who has to be provided free local hospitality and transport and paid out of pocket allowance as prescribed by them. The trainees will have to be provided subsidized hospitality. FIE will be conducting an international examination for Referees in ‘Sabre’ event in conjunction with the Asian Senior Championship on the 23rdand 24thJuly, 2005, at Sabah (Malaysia) and in ‘Foil’ and ‘Epee’ events at Doha (Qatar) in September, 2005. FAI would like to depute competent officials to appear in these examinations. SAI/MYAS are requested to give necessary support and assistance, as covered under the guidelines by granting at least air passage to such officials, while the cost of local hospitality will be borne by the FAI (paras 11.8 (v) and 12.1 (j) of the guidelines refer).