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Organising Committee of Grand Prix 2008 meet

DOHA, December 31 (Afzal Mehmood Shaikh): The Higher Organising Committee of Qatar International Fencing Tournament – Grand Prix 2008 met Monday, to discuss the readiness of the Committee.

The meeting was chaired by HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani – President of Qatar Fencing Federation (QFF) and Higher Organising Committee.

Also, present in the meeting were, Rashid Al Mansoori – Vice President of the Higher Organising Committee, Saleh Amer Al Hemaidi - Championship Director, Khalid Mohammad Al Yazeedi – Head of Technical Committee, Khalid Shandoor Al Yafai – Head of Financial Committee, Ali Abdulrahman Al Mohannadi – Head of Marketing Committee, Ali Yousuf Al Jaber – Head of Transportation and Public Relations Committee, Fahad Abdullah Al Mulla – Head of Media Committee, Abdulla Johar Al Ali – Head of Medical Committee, Yahya Ahmad Bashal – Head of Venues Committee, Mohammad Abdulla Al Sahli – Head of Spectators Committee, and Saleh Hassan Bu Juluf – Head of Security Committee.

Members of the Organising Committee discussed plans and readiness for the Grand Prix which will kick off on Friday, January 18-20, 2008.

222 delegates representing 37 countries have confirmed their participation for the fifth edition tournament.

The 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$