New fencing federation boss outlines priorities

New fencing federation president Isaac Ngendahimana has expressed his confidence that the future of the sport is promising after being represented at the Olympic Games for the first time at Paris 2024. Tufaha Uwihoreye became the first Rwandan fencer to participate at the Olympics and Ngendahimana said that her presence at the global stage will open doors to yet more athletes in the near future. “We hope to have another, or two, representatives at Los Angeles 2028 Games,” Ngendahimana told Times Sport. It’s been a week since members of the Rwanda Fencing Federation backed Ngendahimana, a former martial artist, to lead the body on a four-year term. He won the elections unopposed garnering seven votes out of a possible eight. Paul Boa was elected vice-president while Pacifique Mutesa became the federation’s secretary-general. While Ngendahimana hopes to achieve more milestones during his four-year reign, he faces a big task to first tackle challenges hindering fencing in the country. For instance, not even one of the eight member fencing teams, and the federation itself, has legitimacy hence limiting them from being entitles to opportunities that would help them grow financially. “Our teams don’t have legitimacy. Some have provisional legitimacy but it is a challenge because it is not enough for them to land opportunities that would push them financially,” admitted Ngendahimana. “It is a matter that needs our prompt attention and getting legitimacy for the team is going to be our main priority.” Promoting the sport Fencing is not as common as other sports disciplines like football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, athletics or cycling, and its reach to limited to some parts of the country. According to Ngendahimana, the sports is only operating in Kigali, as well as in Northern and Southern parts of the country. He admits that more efforts are needed to promote fencing countrywide although it requires resources to get equipment. “We have been able to secure more equipment enough to take the sport to the western region. We hope to introduce new clubs there to ensure that young athletes aspiring to get into fencing have a platform to show their talent,” he said. The federation hopes to raise more equipment for clubs to make sure that fencers get quality skills enough to compete for medals. Increasing competitions The Genocide memorial tournament and provincial tournaments are the only two competitions available on Rwanda Fencing Federation calendar and, for Ngendahimana, thy are not many enough to get athletes competitive. He said that his new office will work on increasing competitions to give athletes an opportunity to compete. “organizing more competitions locally and participating at international competitions will help our athletes improve their level of performance,” he said. The federation has invited Kenyan athletes for a competition which is scheduled in November.

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New fencing federation boss outlines priorities