NAS Fencing Championship attracts 127 athletes from 14 countries

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

Dubai braces for a fencing clash of titans! Over the next three days, the Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Sports Tournament welcomes top international fencers.

The Fencing Championship, a highlight of the 11th NAS Sports Tournament, will feature competitors from 14 nations vying for honours in different categories.

Organised under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the sports extravaganza will continue until March 31, featuring nine different sports disciplines, including volleyball, padel, Jiu-Jitsu, fencing, wheelchair basketball, road race, cycling, tug-of-war, and an obstacle challenge.

Under the theme 'Limitless Possibilities,' the tournament is a significant sporting event held annually during Ramadan.

The fencing competition will adhere to the regulations set by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the UAE Fencing Federation.

The tournament structure involves two stages: first, a round-robin stage where fencers compete to determine rankings based on wins and touches recorded. In cases of ties, playoff matches will determine the advancing positions.

The final stage will determine the champions in each category. 127 top fencers representing 14 nations including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Hungary, Estonia, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Iran, Tunisia, Iraq, and the UAE will compete in four categories, namely epee and foil for international men, sabre for Arab men, and an epee competition exclusively for girls and women born in the UAE.

Notably, this year's fencing competition stands out as an independent event, separate from the FIE World Cup, attracting top fencers from countries like Egypt, Hungary, and Iran.

This participation promises a high level of competition, offering valuable exposure to local fencers.

Ali Al Marzouqi, the Executive Director of the UAE Fencing Federation, emphasised the remarkable progress witnessed in fencing at both technical and administrative levels in recent times. This advancement has led to an expanded participant base since the sport's inclusion in the NAS Sports Tournament.

"The Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament has taken a prominent position in the agenda of the fencing federation's local sporting events. Its profound artistic, media, and public impact across all sports has prompted our board of directors to prioritize fencing, ensuring our local fencers have the opportunity to compete against some of the world's best," stated Marzouqi.

Acknowledging the tournament's reputation among local athletes, Marzouqi credited Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, for his unwavering support.

"This event is eagerly anticipated, not only for its financial rewards but also for its high standards of competition. The tournament fosters happiness and positive energy throughout society, marked by numerous sporting and humanitarian milestones deserving of recognition and documentation, particularly during this time of the year," Marzouqi stressed.

He also noted that the uniqueness of this year's fencing competitions is that they will be held independently rather than as part of the FIE World Cup, distinguishing them as exceptional event in its own right.

Marzouqi emphasised that the fencing competition at the NAS Sports Tournament will serve as excellent preparation for the UAE youth team, slated to compete in the FIE World Cup in Saudi Arabia shortly after Eid Al Fitr.