LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 2019—The FIE, in cooperation with the Fencing Confederation of Asia and the Japan Fencing Federation, is conducting a special edition of its “Donate Your Fencing Gear!” program as part of promotional activities associated with theRoad to Tokyo. The program collects used equipment from fencers as well as surplus stock from manufacturers, redistributing it in support of solidarity projects submitted by FIE member federations. The fencing gear helps athletes, coaches and organizations build fencing in their respective countries and enables more fencers to train, compete and participate in their sport.
This special edition program, ensures equipment donations will be redistributed to Asian fencing federations that applied for the program in 2019. The FIE is encouraging Asian fencing clubs, athletes, and federations to participate in the “solidarity flow” and become involved in collecting and donating equipment.
Kazuyasu Minobe (JPN), a member of the FIE Athletes’ Commission and representing the Japan Fencing Federation, has been named the program’s ambassador. Mr. Minobe is currently ranked second in the world in senior men’s epee. The Athletes’ Committee of the Japan Fencing Federation is leading the donation efforts for this special program. Atsushi Harinishi (JPN), member of the FIE SEMI Commission, will also support the program in SEMI-related matters (ensuring equipment integrity and standards, armory considerations, etc.).
The motto of the FIE, “Fencing Together, Universal Fencing” is a driving principle in this philanthropic program. More information about this and other Donate Your Fencing Gear! programs is available here on the FIE Web site.