2023-11-10 02:25:38
The 2023 world championships showed it again, the Paris 2024 Games should confirm it once again: Europe is still leading at a brisk pace, America is continuing its rise, Asia is picking up the pace. The three major fencing continents won 41 of the 42 medals at the last Senior World Championships in Milan.
Africa? She is moving forward. Egypt, above all, is approaching the summit. As proof, the bronze medal won this year in Milan by sabreur Ziad El-Sissy (photo above) in the individual event. Less than a year before the Paris 2024 Games, and three years before the 2026 Youth Games in Dakar, the continent is patiently shaping its future.
FrancsGames questioned Senegalese Mbagnick Ndiaye, president of the African Fencing Confederation (CAE), member of the FIE executive committee.
FrancsJeux: What is the reality of fencing on the African continent today?
Mbagnick Ndiaye : The African Fencing Confederation has 31 member national federations. But the level of fencing in different countries and regions of Africa turns out to be extremely different. Egypt is the leading nation, with fencers highly placed in the world rankings. Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and South Africa have also experienced real development. These five countries regularly place athletes on the podium at the African championships. Other nations practice fencing, their athletes participate in our championships, but success is yet to come. They have implemented development programs which are gradually yielding results. This is particularly the case for Nigeria, Angola, Kenya and Togo.
Is fencing gaining ground?
Yes. Slowly but surely, it is gaining popularity in many African countries. But fencing is not a cheap sport, and without support from local authorities it is difficult to develop it. The international federation (FIE) allocates equipment subsidies to all African countries every year, it also helps fencers to participate in training camps and competitions. But additional support is needed. It is obvious that in countries where the Ministry of Sports and the National Olympic Committee provide assistance, fencing shows a much higher level of development. At the CAE, we are trying to organize African championships in all countries that have the facilities for such a competition. These events help to increase the popularity of fencing.
What do you miss the most?
In most African countries, there are still many shortages. They concern almost all areas of practice and organization: the management and administration of the federation and its structures, equipment, development programs, particularly for cadets and juniors, qualified coaches capable of develop the practice at the national or regional level. We also don’t have enough national competitions, and no ranking system for fencers yet. Finally, I repeat, many countries cannot count on the support of authorities and private partners.
What is the priority of the African Fencing Confederation today?
We want to move forward in two directions. The first is the establishment of strategic programs for the development of fencing in Africa. This is obviously one of our priorities. The second concerns the management of activity across the continent. At the top of the list, the organization of the African championships. They will take place next year in Egypt for cadets and juniors, in Morocco for seniors. We will also organize, in 2024, the zone qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games. It will be held in Algeria. Finally, we must support the participation of African fencers in international competitions, including World Cups, Grand Prix and satellite tournaments, and of course the world championships.
In 2018, the FIE opened an academy in Johannesburg, South Africa. What role does it play in the development of fencing on the continent?
Obviously a very important role. It is fundamental for us, in Africa, to create a network of certified fencing coaches in each member country or region of our confederation. This is the only way to develop the practice on a large scale. Coaches from other continents are not always inclined to come and work in underdeveloped regions of Africa. There is no money, poverty is very present. Some invest at the high level, but the discovery, initiation and initial training must be provided by local coaches. The FIE academy in Johannesburg organizes training every year, between February and November, for eight students from different African countries. It delivers two types of diploma: a higher certificate in training sciences, recognized internationally, which allows you to work as a coach or physical education teacher; and an FIE training diploma, approved by the international federation in all three weapons. Since its creation, the academy has received 46 students from 12 countries.
Could the presence of fencing on the program for the 2026 Youth Games in Dakar give a boost to the development of the discipline on the continent?
We hope so and look forward to seeing fencing once again at the YOG, in 2026 in Dakar, after having been present in Singapore in 2010, Nanjing in 2014 and Buenos Aires in 2018. Its presence on the program should further strengthen its popularity and get more young people to start fencing. These 2026 Youth Games will be the first on the continent. They will certainly have an effect on the development of our sport.
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