ABOUT FENCING GRAND PRIX

Qatar successfully hosted the inaugural Grand Prix in 2005 and since then the Qatar Fencing Federation (QFF) has been innovatively hosting the event ever year. After the launch of QFF in December 2000, the Federation was awarded the first international championship in 2004 'Qatar Fencing World Cup - FIE'.

The fourth year in succession of Grand Prix has received an overwhelming response from the participating countries and fencers. This year's edition of 'Qatar International Fencing Tournament Grand Prix 2008' - Epee for Senior Men in Individual and Teams event will witness more than 220 delegates including fencers from 35 countries.

The inaugural Grand Prix event in 2005 was dominated by the Germans in both individual and teams event. Sven Schmid outsmarted Spanish Marc Font in the final, while the team defeated Italy to lift the prestigious title.

Top officials of the international fencing fraternity, including President Rene Roch and First Vice-president HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdurrahman Al Thani expressed happiness over the successful conduct of the 2005 Qatar Grand Prix Fencing Championship.

Sheikh Saoud said, "The top FIE officials were thoroughly impressed with the way Qatar organised the event. It was a matter of pride for Qatar that the championship went off smoothly, without any difficulties and the feedback he got from FIE delegates were encouraging.

"The whole world now know that we (Qatar) are capable of hosting any major sporting event and I take this opportunity to express our thanks to the Emir HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani for their unstinted support," said HE Sheikh Saoud.