June 24-July 7, 2017
The Federation International d’Escrime (FIE) and the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) gave their full support and cooperation to make sure that the course would be a success. The FIE provided for the expert while the FCA planned and executed the logistical requirements in cooperation with the Philippine Fencing Association.
The venue was at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City, Philipines right next to the national taining hall of the Philippine fencing team while the participants were billeted at the Holiday Inn Hotel, which is about 20 minutes away.
The FCA sent out the invitations to all its members and Oceania but only twenty sent their confirmations. Lebanon, confirmed to send a participant but was not able to apply for her visa on time. Finally, there were twenty (20) participants from nineteen (19) countries broken down as follows:
Central Asia Southeast Asia
Kazakhstan Cambodia
Mongolia Indonesia
Uzbekistan Malaysia
Turkmenistan Philippnes
Singapore
East Asia
Thailand
Hong Kong Vietnam
Japan
Macao
West Asia
Iran
South Asia
Bangladesh
Nepal
India
Oceania
Australia
Host, Philippines had two (2) participants while all the other countries had one (1) participant each.
Initially, the FIE planned to send a pair of one male and one female experts. However, no female expert was available during the scheduled of the course. FIE foil expert Mr. Petru Kuki of Roumania became the sole expet instead.
Mr. Kuki prepared a concise though comprehensive program with a combination of lectures and practical exercises with supplemental video presentations.
The two week program was conducted daily with 2 sets of three-hour sessions: 9:00 to 12:00 in the mornings then resumes from 4:00 to 7:00 in the afternoon. Mr. Kuki gave the participants ample rest in between to ensure better absorption of the lessons and exercises. They were also given two afternoons and two mornings off. The Philippine Fencing Association used one of the afternoons off to show them around some of Manila’s historical sites.
Mr. Kuki was quite impressed with the women’s work ethics and support for each other during the course, Their hardwork was evident at the end when they were obviously moving much better and with more confidence in giving lessons.
The course was culminated with an examination, where each one of them were graded while giving lessons. Twelve (12) were rated as very good, five (5) were good while three (3) were just okay. Inspite the FCA’s recommendation to send only coaches with experience, there were still some countries who sent beginners and could only get an okay rating in the end.
Overall, the course was well received and produced promising results. Mr. Kuki was hoping for a longer course to incorporate tactical lessons and more comprehensive exercises.
Prepared by: Maria Leonor Estampador