April 2019 saw the recently formed Oman Fencing Committee (OFC) inaugurating a first-of-its kind flagship Fencing Training Center. Located at Al Seeb Sports Stadium, the centre aims to encourage participation and promote excellence at all levels of fencing, from rookie to world-class competitor.
Khalifa bin Saif Al Essai, Director General of Sports Activities, Ministry of Sports Affairs, who formally inaugurated the Centre, said, “This is a step towards the right direction and OFC deserves commendation in creating and establishing a training centre for fencing, which will undoubtedly create a facility to practice the sport and prepare a base of players ready to represent Oman internationally.”
In its efforts to establish an Olympic national team, OFC has also launched the ‘Young Fencers Program’, a free training programme, focused on training Omani youth on the three types of weapons used in the sport: the foil, the epee and the saber. Under the supervision of international fencing coach Hisham Karchoud, a world-class fencing player and previous head coach of the renowned Tunisian and Qatar national teams, the ‘Young Fencers Program’ is open for both girls and boys and is currently focused on the 9- 18 years old age group.
Explaining further about Young Fencers Program, Khalid Al Shuaibi, President of OFC, said: “Oman Fencing Committee is dedicated to teaching and training fencing and inspiring a future young Omani generation of fencers to represent Oman in international podiums. We want to spread fencing across the Sultanate and help more Omanis realise the goals they have set for themselves in sports.”
With future plans to expand, the committee is looking at opening recreational training opportunities for all ages later this year and also to include other locations across Oman in the near future. The committee encourages interested participants to get in touch with them using their social medial channels (@omanfencing) or via email: info@omanfencing.com.
* The Oman Fencing Committee was founded in January 2019 based on Ministerial Decision 12/2019 of the Ministry of Sports Affairs. OFC is the only legal body in Oman to regulate the fencing sport. OFC’s slogan is to inspire and grow the Omani fencing community.
