JAMMU, OCT 6: Fencing in Jammu and Kashmir has achieved a significant milestone with all five referees nominated by the J&K Fencing Association (JKFA) successfully clearing the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE) Referee Seminar-cum-Examination held in New Delhi from October 2 to 4.
The achievement is being viewed as an important step towards strengthening the Union Territory’s technical officiating infrastructure and creating a larger pool of qualified officials capable of conducting fencing competitions in line with international standards.
The three-day seminar and examination was organised by the Fencing Association of India (FAI) in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), with the programme focusing on enhancing the technical knowledge, interpretation of rules and officiating competencies of Indian referees in accordance with FIE and FAI standards.
The JKFA, an affiliated unit of the FAI, had nominated five officials for the prestigious examination. All five candidates successfully qualified and earned the FIE C-Certificate in Fencing, marking a notable accomplishment for the UT and reflecting the growing technical capacity within its fencing fraternity.
The successful officials include Maninder Pal Singh, National Medalist/NSNIS CC; Javed Ahmed Choudhary, International Fencer/NSNIS CC; Rachna Jamwal, Senior Coach, J&K Sports Council; Mokshi Sharma, Assistant Coach, KISCE (Fencing); and Vir Sangram Singh, National Medalist/NSNIS.
The examination and technical sessions were conducted by Irina Knysch, President of the FIE Referee Commission, and Olga Cojokari, Member of the FIE Referee Commission, providing participants an opportunity to undergo assessment under international-level technical supervision.
The FIE, the global governing body for the sport of fencing, plays a central role in maintaining and developing international standards of competition, rules and officiating. The C-Certificate qualification therefore represents an important professional credential for the five J&K officials and adds further depth to the UT’s technical officiating ecosystem.
The qualification of all five referees is also expected to benefit the sport at the grassroots and competitive levels by providing J&K with a stronger base of trained officials for conducting fencing events, talent-development competitions and higher-level championships while ensuring greater familiarity with standardised technical procedures.
JKFA President Vijay Kumar, Secretary General Adv. Supriya Chouhan and International Referee Rashid Ahmed Chowdhary, along with members of the fencing fraternity, congratulated the five officials on their successful qualification.
The JKFA leadership described the achievement as a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir fencing, saying the recognition would further encourage officials, coaches and athletes to pursue higher technical and competitive standards and contribute to the sustained development of the sport across the Union Territory.
