FIE and FAI sign MoU to boost fencing in India ahead of LA28
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the Asian Fencing Championships 2026 in New Delhi, the International Fencing Federation and the Fencing Association of India signed an MoU targeting athlete development and fan growth ahead of LA28 — a rare institutional bet on a sport that has long sat at India's sporting margins.
Key Takeaways
The FIE and FAI signed an MoU on 23 June at the Asian Fencing Championships 2026 in New Delhi .
The agreement was signed by Abdelmoniem El Husseiny (FIE Interim President) and Rajeev Mehta (FAI and FCA Secretary General).
The MoU covers athlete promotion, fan engagement, communications, and stakeholder outreach.
The partnership is explicitly oriented toward building momentum ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games .
The FIE described India as 'one of the most exciting growth opportunities for fencing' globally.
The International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Fencing Association of India (FAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the Asian Fencing Championships 2026 in New Delhi, formalising a bilateral framework aimed at accelerating the growth of fencing in India in the build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The agreement was signed on 23 June, marking a significant institutional step for the sport's development on the subcontinent.
Who Signed and Where
The MoU was executed by Abdelmoniem El Husseiny, Interim President of the FIE, and Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of both the FAI and the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA). The signing took place on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Fencing Championships 2026, hosted in New Delhi, lending the occasion added regional significance with Asia's top fencers competing in the same city.
What the Agreement Covers
The MoU establishes a structured collaboration across several key pillars: athlete promotion, fan engagement, communications, stakeholder outreach, and initiatives designed to raise fencing's visibility and appeal among Indian audiences. According to the FAI, the two bodies will jointly create opportunities that support competitive athletes while also building grassroots interest in the sport. The partnership is framed as a long-term commitment rather than a one-off arrangement.
What the Two Sides Said
Abdelmoniem El Husseiny described India as 'one of the most exciting growth opportunities for fencing,' adding: 'We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Fencing Association of India through this agreement and look forward to working together to increase the sport's visibility, inspire young athletes, and build momentum on the road to Los Angeles 2028.'
Rajeev Mehta called the MoU 'an important step in the growth journey of fencing in India,' stating: 'The collaboration with the International Fencing Federation will help us further strengthen the sport's ecosystem, create greater awareness, and provide enhanced opportunities for athletes to excel. Together, we are committed to building a stronger future for fencing and inspiring the next generation of fencers as we look ahead to LA28.'
Why This Matters for Indian Fencing
India has historically been a peripheral presence in international fencing, with the sport commanding limited mainstream attention compared to cricket, badminton, or wrestling. The MoU arrives at a strategically timed moment — with LA28 less than two years away and the Asian Championships providing a ready platform for visibility. Notably, hosting the Asian Fencing Championships in New Delhi itself signals India's growing organisational ambition in the sport. The FIE's explicit identification of India as a 'growth opportunity' suggests the global body is looking beyond its traditional European strongholds for the sport's next wave of expansion.
What Comes Next
The FAI is expected to roll out programmes under the MoU framework in the months ahead, spanning athlete development pipelines and fan-facing outreach. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics serving as the near-term horizon, Indian fencers and administrators will be under pressure to translate institutional momentum into competitive results on the world stage.
Point of View
Limited school-level penetration, and sparse broadcast coverage. The FIE's framing of India as a 'growth opportunity' is commercially rational given the country's youth demographic, but ambition and institutional bandwidth are two different things. The FAI will need to convert this framework into verifiable programme delivery, not just press releases, if Indian fencing is to show up differently at Los Angeles than it did at Paris.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MoU signed between the FIE and FAI?
It is a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 23 June between the International Fencing Federation and the Fencing Association of India, establishing a framework for collaboration on athlete promotion, fan engagement, and fencing development ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Where and when was the MoU signed?
The MoU was signed on 23 June on the sidelines of the Asian Fencing Championships 2026, which is being held in New Delhi.
Who signed the MoU on behalf of the two organisations?
Abdelmoniem El Husseiny, Interim President of the FIE, signed on behalf of the International Fencing Federation, while Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the FAI and FCA, signed on behalf of the Fencing Association of India.
Why is this MoU significant for Indian fencing?
It represents a formal institutional commitment from the global governing body to support fencing's growth in India, a market where the sport has historically had limited visibility. The LA28 Olympics provides a concrete near-term target for the partnership to deliver results.
What areas does the FIE-FAI collaboration cover?
The MoU covers athlete promotion, fan engagement, communications, stakeholder outreach, and broader initiatives to increase the visibility and appeal of fencing in India and contribute to the sport's long-term development.
