Indian squad departs for Asian Fencing C'ship

The 24-member senior fencing team was on Friday given a warm send-off to participate in the Asian Fencing Championship, which is slated to be held at Bangkok, Thailand from June 17 to June 22.

The squad, which is headed by Bashir Ahmed Khan, Secretary General of Fencing Authority of India (FAI), will be accompanied by six coaches.

The teams had undergone intense training at Western SAI Training Centre, Aurangabad from May 19 to June 15 for preparation of above Asian Championship.

Rajiv Mehta, President FAI, conveyed his sincere thanks to SAI and Rahul Bhatnagar, IAS Secretary Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), Government of India, Sports Authority of India (SAI) for all the support and valuing fencing as potential sport which can bring laurels to India in Olympics in future as it has 36 medals to fight for in Olympics.

He added that India have a good roadmap and proper planning, and are moving on right track.

Mehta also expressed his happiness over preparation and selection and wished team for the championship. He assured fencers that all possible help will be provided to them to improve their skill and performance in future.

Bashir Ahmed Khan, Secretary General FAI, conveyed thanks to Rajeev Mehta for their kind guidance and especially arranging a sponsorship for the team in terms of kit from Swanatarta Sports Patiala and expressed that more sports and corporate houses will come forward to promote this unique sport of Fencing.

The full squad is as follows:

Foil Men: Velautham Vinoth Kumar, Thokchom Bicky, Arjun Punjab State, Rai Rakesh.

Foil Women: Awati Radhika Prakash, Sagolsem Bindu Devi, Wanglembam Thoibi Devi, Jasmine.

Epee Men: Kumar Sunil, Nongthombam Santosh Singh, Coppara Jayaprakash Guruprakash, Udaivir Singh.

Epee Women: Devi Thoudam Kabita, Arora Ena, Jas Seerat Singh, Dutta Jyotika

Sabre Men: Karan Singh, Kumaresan Padma Gisho Nidhi, Irengbam Surendro Singh, Johal Varinder Singh.

Sabre Women: Thingujam Daina Devi, Shukla Komalpreet, Jose Josna Christy, Chadalavada Anandha, Sundhararaman Bhavani Dev.