International Fencing Federation and FAI sign MoU to promote fencing in India ahead of LA28
New Delhi, June 23
The International Fencing Federation and the Fencing Association of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation and support the continued growth and promotion of fencing in India in the lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games
The MoU was signed by Abdelmoniem El Husseiny, Interim President of the FIE, and Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the FAI and Secretary General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA), on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Fencing Championships 2026 in New Delhi.
The partnership establishes a framework for collaboration across key areas, including athlete promotion, fan engagement, communications, stakeholder outreach, and initiatives aimed at increasing the visibility and appeal of fencing. Through this collaboration, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Fencing Association of India (FAI) will work together to create opportunities that support athletes, engage new audiences, and contribute to the long-term development of the sport, the FAI informed in a release on Tuesday.
Elated on the occasion, Abdelmoniem El Husseiny said, "India represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities for fencing. We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Fencing Association of India through this agreement and look forward to working together to increase the sport's visibility, inspire young athletes, and build momentum on the road to Los Angeles 2028."
Speaking about the opportunity, Rajeev Mehta, who is also Secretary General, Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA), said: "This MoU marks an important step in the growth journey of fencing in India. The collaboration with the International Fencing Federation will help us further strengthen the sport's ecosystem, create greater awareness, and provide enhanced opportunities for athletes to excel. Together, we are committed to building a stronger future for fencing and inspiring the next generation of fencers as we look ahead to LA28."
The signing of the MoU reflects the shared vision of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Fencing Association of India (FAI) to accelerate the growth of fencing, enhance its visibility among fans and stakeholders, and create a lasting legacy for the sport in India and beyond, the release said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I didn't even know fencing was so big in Asia until this championship came to Delhi. Glad to see FIE taking notice of India's potential. But we need more than just MoUs — dedicated fencing academies, school programs, and maybe some Bollywood-style hype to make it popular! 🎯
Great to see international sports bodies investing in India's Olympic journey. Fencing is a sport of precision and discipline — perfect for Indian athletes. Hopefully this MoU will lead to better coaching, more competitions, and a pathway to LA28. 🇮🇳
While this is encouraging, I hope the FAI doesn't just focus on the elite level. A lot of promising fencers from smaller towns don't even know about such opportunities. Need transparency in talent identification and more state-level championships. Still, a step in the right direction! 👏
As someone who follows Olympic sports closely, this is a smart move by FIE. India has a huge youth demographic and the discipline of fencing could really take off here. The challenge will be sustaining interest beyond the Olympic cycle. Let's hope LA28 becomes a turning point.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.