The International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Fencing Association of India (FAI) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding on June 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the Asian Senior Fencing Championships 2026 in New Delhi. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation and accelerate the development of fencing in India, with a clear focus on building towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The MoU was signed by Abdelmoniem El Husseiny, Interim President of the FIE, and Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the FAI and Secretary General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA).
Scope of the Agreement
The partnership establishes a broad framework for collaboration across athlete promotion, fan engagement, communications, and stakeholder outreach. Both organisations will work together to create enhanced opportunities for athletes, engage new audiences, and increase the visibility and appeal of fencing across India.
Speaking on the occasion, El Husseiny described India as one of the most exciting growth opportunities for fencing and expressed confidence that the partnership would inspire young athletes and build momentum on the road to Los Angeles 2028. Mehta noted that the MoU marks an important step in the growth journey of fencing in India, helping to strengthen the sport’s ecosystem and provide enhanced opportunities for athletes to excel as the country looks ahead to LA28.
Why India: A Fencing Ecosystem in Transition
Fencing in India has been on a steady upward trajectory, driven by a combination of international breakthroughs and institutional investment. The sport’s growth is anchored by C. A. Bhavani Devi, who created history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by becoming the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Games. In 2023, she added another milestone by winning India’s first-ever medal at the Asian Fencing Championships, a bronze in the women’s sabre event at Wuxi, China.
India currently has three fencers ranked inside the world’s Top 100: Bhavani Devi (women’s sabre, world rank 59), Karan Singh (men’s sabre, world rank 75), and Taniksha Khatri (women’s epee, world rank 86). While the country is yet to win an Olympic or Asian Games medal in fencing, the gap with the leading nations is narrowing steadily.
On the infrastructure side, the government has made significant investments. In February 2026, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) inaugurated the country’s first exclusive fencing High-Performance Centre (HPC) at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala, Punjab. Built at a cost of Rs 22.83 crore, the facility features international-standard pistes, electronic scoring systems, and integrated sports science services including biomechanics, exercise physiology, and sports psychology. A 24-member national sabre squad is currently training at the centre, targeting medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The signing of this MoU with the FIE also coincides with a landmark moment for Indian fencing administration. India hosted the Asian Senior Fencing Championships for the first time in its history from June 19 to 24, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with over 400 athletes from 34 countries participating. The event also hosted the 39th Fencing Confederation of Asia General Assembly, held in India for the first time.
Key Organisations Involved
| Organisation | Full Name | Founded | Headquarters | Key Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIE | International Fencing Federation (Fédération Internationale d’Escrime) | 1913 | Lausanne, Switzerland | World governing body for Olympic fencing; 156 member federations |
| FAI | Fencing Association of India | 1974 | New Delhi | National governing body for fencing in India; recognised by government in 1997 |
| FCA | Fencing Confederation of Asia | 1988 | Dubai, UAE | Continental governing body for Asian fencing; 40 member federations |
The FIE is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole authority for fencing worldwide. Fencing has been part of the Olympic programme since the first modern Games in 1896. The FAI operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and is affiliated with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Rajeev Mehta, who signed the MoU on behalf of FAI, made history in December 2024 by becoming the first Indian elected as Secretary General of the FCA.
Significance for LA 2028 and Beyond
The MoU comes at a crucial juncture in the Olympic cycle. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics just two years away, the partnership is designed to help Indian fencers accumulate valuable international exposure, ranking points, and competitive experience through FIE-sanctioned events. The qualification pathway for LA 2028 will involve performances at World Championships, World Cups, and continental championships over the next two seasons.
For the FIE, India represents an untapped market with a large youth population and growing sports infrastructure. Supporting the development of fencing here aligns with the federation’s strategic goal of expanding the sport’s global footprint beyond its traditional strongholds in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. For India, the MoU provides a structured pathway to access world-class coaching, international competitions, and global best practices in athlete development.
Key Takeaways
- The International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Fencing Association of India (FAI) signed a strategic MoU on June 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the Asian Senior Fencing Championships in New Delhi.
- The MoU was signed by Abdelmoniem El Husseiny (Interim President, FIE) and Rajeev Mehta (Secretary General, FAI and FCA).
- The partnership focuses on athlete promotion, fan engagement, communications, and stakeholder outreach, with a specific goal of building towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
- The FIE, founded in 1913 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the world governing body for Olympic fencing with 156 member federations.
- The FAI, established in 1974 and recognised by the government in 1997, is the national governing body for fencing in India, headquartered in New Delhi.
- India’s first exclusive fencing High-Performance Centre was inaugurated at NSNIS Patiala in February 2026 at a cost of Rs 22.83 crore.
- India hosted the Asian Senior Fencing Championships for the first time in June 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with over 400 athletes from 34 countries.
