Often referred to as the ‘Game of Swords’, fencing is about to witness a major boom in India, with the Fencing Association of India (FAI) launching its first-ever auction-based Indian Fencing League.
FAI General Secretary Rajeev Mehta
Often referred to as the ‘Game of Swords’, fencing is about to witness a major boom in India, with the Fencing Association of India (FAI) launching its first-ever auction-based Indian Fencing League. The first-of-its-kind initiative aims to nurture talent, provide elite athletes with a structured competitive platform, and bring the sport into the mainstream sporting landscape.
Rallying under the theme “One Sport, One League, One Nation,” the FAI has opened an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, inviting individuals, companies, institutions, and foundations to own a franchise and become part of the league’s founding story.
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“The idea behind the league is to give a further push and overall development to the sport across the country,” FAI General Secretary Rajeev Mehta told UNI for the launch of the maiden Indian Fencing League.
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“The FAI has invited individuals, companies, institutions and foundations to come forward and become a part of the upcoming League,” he added.
He said through EOI process, interested parties can own a franchise, invest in fencing, build the future of the sport, and become part of the premier league.
The FAI general secretary, howeveer, made it clear that submission of EOI does not guarantee the allocation of franchise rights, adding, “the FAI reserves the right to accept and reject any application.”
“The league will definitely transform the fencing sport in India and offer structured platform for emerging athletes to showcase their skills and compete at various levels,” he said, adding, “moreover, this exposure surely bridges the gap between grassroots talent and international standards.”
He said that by attracting sponsorship, media attention, and public interest, the league could significantly boost the popularity of fencing. “Overall, the Indian Fencing League is a crucial step toward developing a strong sporting ecosystem that can eventually improve India’s performance at global events and pave the way for a brighter future for fencing in the country,” Mehta expressed.
Meanwhile, Bharat Thakur, Chairman of the Indian Fencing League Committee, underscored the significance of the initiative and described it as a major step forward for the sport in India.
He told UNI, “The FAI general secretary Rajeev Mehta has conceptualised this initiative of the league,” adding, “the auction based tournament initially to be conducted in Senior Men’s category in all the three events on the FAI rules.”
“This is a great beginning for promoting fencing in India, and elite fencers will get a valuable platform to showcase their talent,” he said.
Thakur added that the current phase involves inviting EOIs to identify interested franchise owners, and all prescribed norms will be followed during the short-listing process.
“Similar platforms will be introduced in other categories and age groups with a broader perspective of bringing Indian Fencing to international stage and expand its reach to untapped pockets in the country to make the sport more accessible and appealing to the younger generation,” the Chairman League Committee said while elaborating about the plans in place to expand to other categories and age groups down the line.
The deadline to submit an EOI is May 30, 2026.
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