RECENT NEWS

18 countries confirm participation in 2008 Fencing GP

DOHA, December 03 (Afzal Mehmood Shaikh): As of the stats provided by Qatar Fencing Federation (QFF) so far 146 participants including coach, official and fencers representing 18 countries have confirmed their participation for the forthcoming 5th Qatar International Fencing Tournament Grand Prix 2008 for Epee - Men - Senior – Individual and Team.

The participating countries include, Kazakhstan (14), Slovakia (2), Sierra Leone (21), Norway (5), Russia (21), Hungary (7), Germany (8), Czech Republic (5), Belgium (1), Italia (10), Slovenia (1), China (10), Korea (8), Ukraine (9), Poland (6), Uzbekistan (4), Japan (7), and Switzerland (8).

The three-day tournament will kick off on Friday, January 18, 2008 at the Hall of Sport Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in Qatar.

First two days of the tournament will see competitions in individual event while on the last day events will be held for teams.

Tournament is open for all fencers holding a FIE license for the 2008 season and/or those subject to a request of license made by their federation. The number of the fencers per country authorized to participate in this event will be in accordance with FIE regulations.

The Formula of the FIE Grand Prix Events is applicable (Individual and Teams). All fencers should be equipped in accordance with FIE Standards.

Anti-Doping Control will be done at the end of the tournament under the responsibility of the competition official physician. The test will be done for the 4 finalists. The 1st and 2nd are tested automatically, one fencer will be drawn between the other two semi-finalists. Concerning the Team Events, the anti-doping control will be done on one fencer per team drawn by lot, from each of the four teams having the best overall classification.

An FIE observer as well as a delegate from the referee commission will be present.

PROGRAMME:

Thursday – 17/1/2008 Welcome of Delegation + Weapons Control

Referees Meeting

Friday – 18/1/2008 Individual Event

08:00 - Fencers Call + Registration

08:30 Heats

Saturday – 19/1/2008 Individual Event (continued)

09:00 - 64 Fencers Schedule

18:00 – Finals

Sunday – 20/1/2008 Team Events

09:00 - Direct elimination per team

18:00 - Finals per team

20:00 - Dinner offered by the Organising Committee

Monday – 21/1/2008 Departure of Delegations

REWARDS:

Total prize money of US$ 31,000 will be offered as follows:

INDIVIDUAL TEAM

1st Place: 5,000 US$ 1st Place: 6,000 US$

2nd Place: 3,000 US$ 2nd Place: 5,000 US$

3rd Place: 2,000 US$ 3rd Place: 4,000 US$

3rd Place: 2,000 US$