Fencing sport to be extended in schools

RWANDA Fencing Federation is planning to extend the sport in different parts of the country as they seek to identify new talents in bid to have gifted athletes, who can compete in regional and continental competitions.“We are planning to extend the sport in schools in a bid to increase its awareness as well also target new talents,” the federation’s chairman, Jean de la Paix Hategikimana, told Times Sport yesterday.The former rugby player and administrator added: “We want to also hold a national fencing championship in May so we can pick the best athletes who will compete for the first time in the Africa Championship due to be held in South Africa in June.” Fencing sport is growing bigger and better since its inception in the country last year. They have formed three clubs namely; Kigali, Gorilla and Nyamirambo fencing clubs and they are working hard to acquire legal status so as to be recognised as a member of Rwanda National Olympic Sport Committee.Fencing is typically divided into Olympic fencing, classical fencing and historical fencing. The sport of fencing (commonly called Olympic fencing or competitive fencing) is divided into three weapons: foil, sabre and épée.Classical fencing uses the same three weapons, but approaches fencing as a martial art.Competitive Fencing is one of five sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games, the other four being Athletics, Cycling, Swimming and Gymnastics. Fencing is governed by Fédération Internationale d’Escrime or FIE. Today, its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. The FIE is composed of 145 national federations, each of which is recognised by its country’s Olympic Committee as the sole representative of Olympic-style fencing in that country.

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Fencing sport to be extended in schools