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Friday January 25, 2008

Better field for junior circuit

By NG WEI LOON

AFTER a good run in hosting their junior circuit last year, the Touche Fencing Club expect a better field of budding fencers to feature in their junior circuit scheduled between March and July this year.

Prior to the grand finals, the juniors will compete in three legs of competitions comprising 11 age-group categories - boys' and girls' Under-Nine, boys' Under-10, girls' Under-10, boys' Under-11, girls' Under-11, boys' Under-12, girls' Under-12, boys' Under-15, girls' Under-15, boys' Under-17 and girls' Under-17.

Spot on: Cameron Russell (left) taking on Syed Adil in the boys' Under-12 category at the Touche Fencing Club second foil circuit last year.

The club's chief coach, C.W. Mok, said international entries from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong had indicated their keenness to take part in the grand finals.

“We spoke to our foreign associates at a meet in Singapore last year and they are very supportive of the idea. Besides the foreigners, we will also be inviting the fencers from other clubs and states to provide a more intense competitive edge in the event,” he added.

Last year, the organisers of the circuit took their grand finals to Bangsar Shopping Centre in an effort to promote the swashbuckling art to the public.

Considering that most local exponents would be competing in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) from May 31 to June 9, the circuit's grand finals will be held after the biennial Games, in July.

“We will be negotiating with several sponsors to be part of our programme for the long term. Notwithstanding this, we will go ahead and conduct our programmes, with or without potential partners coming forward to support the cause. We will try to make it an exciting affair again,” he added.

Going all out: Athia will be trying to extend her supremacy in her final year competing in the girls' Under-15 category.

Starting in February, the club will also be organising internal foil competitions at their centres based at various schools around the Klang Valley.

“Some of the beginners are intimidated when competing against more established fencers in the club's junior circuit. The internal meets have been part of our on-going programmes for the rookies to experience the competition atmosphere. In addition, we will be introducing the sport in two more schools this year. We want to attract more youngsters to take up fencing in order to increase our base of potential fencers at the grassroots level,” said Mok.

For the National Junior Circuit, Mok is expecting the club's trainees to be a force in the boys' and girls' Under-15 categories this year.

Petite Athia Hakimah Haron will be trying to extend her supremacy in her final year competing in the girls' Under-15 category.

“(Tio) Shu Anne is another contender for honours in the girls' Under-15 category,” said Mok.

Meanwhile, the trio of Muhammad Zariff Mohd Zaini, Leong Jian Wei and Lim Zhuo Zhi are aiming to make an impact in the boys' Under-15 category.

“Syed Adil Emir Putra is graduating from the boys' Under-12 to gauge his strength against elder opponents. We are confident that he will be gradually moving up the ranks,” Mok added.

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