New Delhi, June 18: The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, conducted a review of the preparations for the ‘Asian Senior Fencing Championship 2026’ at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Thursday. This prestigious continental event is scheduled to take place from June 19 to June 24.
The championship will officially kick off with a grand opening ceremony on June 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Hall Number 2-3 of Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan). The theme of the event, “One Dream, One Sword, One Glory,” will celebrate fencing, sporting achievements, and international solidarity.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony. Notable figures from the sports world will also be in attendance, including Abdelmoneim Al Husseini, Acting President of the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE); His Excellency Engineer Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA); and Vitaly Logvin Grechukhin, President of the Pan American Fencing Confederation (PAFC).
Accompanying Khadse were Satej Patil, President of the Fencing Association of India, and Rajiv Mehta, Secretary General of the Association. They inspected the infrastructure for the competition, facilities for athletes, a technology-based referee system, and other arrangements for the successful organization of the championship.
The Asian Senior Fencing Championship 2026 marks a historic achievement as India hosts this esteemed continental championship for the first time. Athletes from 36 countries will participate, totaling 787 recognized participants, including 406 athletes, 75 coaches, 9 managers, 13 support staff, 40 representatives, 28 volunteers, and 151 local organizing committee (LOC) members.
During the occasion, Khadse stated, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly emerging as a global sports nation. The Khelo India Policy 2025 provides a comprehensive roadmap to enhance sports infrastructure, support athletes, promote emerging sports, and strengthen India’s capacity to host major international sporting events. The Asian Senior Fencing Championship 2026 reflects this vision and showcases India’s growing capabilities on the global sports stage. Such international competitions offer invaluable opportunities to athletes, encourage sporting excellence, and significantly contribute to building a vibrant and future-ready sports ecosystem.”
The minister expressed confidence in the team’s preparations for the championship and praised the efforts of the Fencing Association of India, technical officials, and all stakeholders involved in making the event a success. He extended best wishes to all participating athletes and expressed hope that this championship will promote the growth of fencing in India while fostering sporting excellence and collaboration across Asia.
Leave a Comment