Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 March (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to host the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Congress, Belarus’ Sports and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko said as he met with Chief Executive Officer of the FIE Headoffice Nathalie Rodriguez, BelTA has learned from the press service of Belarus’ Sports and Tourism Ministry.

Alexander Shamko thanked the FIE representative for the readiness to consider the proposal of the Belarusian side to hold the 2017 FIE Congress in Minsk in November. He noted that Belarus hosts about 80 international competitions annually, providing the high-level organization for all tournaments.

“In April, the 2017 European Fencing U23 Championships will be no exception. A new generation of talented athletes is growing in Belarus, and we believe that the hosting of the championships will help them to improve their skills, and will attract more audience to fencing,” Alexander Shamko noted.

Nathalie Rodriguez expressed confidence that the Minsk infrastructure is good, and this will contribute to the highest organizational level both of the tournament and the congress. On 21 March, she visited the National Olympic Committee and a number of Minsk hotels that can receive foreign guests.

“The International Fencing Federation Congress is an important event in the fencing world. The congress will be presided by FIE President Alisher Usmanov. The representatives of 120-130 national fencing federations are expected to attend. The agenda of the meeting will include the issues of the development of fencing in the world, including the newest edition of the rules,” Nathalie Rodriguez said.

The decision on the venue and dates of the congress will be adopted after Nathalie Rodriguez finishes her official visit to Belarus and reports to the FIE President.