Utkal Karate School launches fencing training centre

Leading martial art and powersports training organization, Utkal Karate School added one more feather to its cap by launching a fencing training centre at the school complex in Bhubaneswar on today. Fencing Federation of India (FFI) coach Santosh Pandey and two fencers of West Bengal gave a demonstration of the Olympic sport on the occasion. According to school secretary Hari Prasad Pattanayak, the training centre is the first of its kind in the state and has been set up in collaboration with the newly formed Orissa State Fencing Association (OSFA). `‘Launching of the centre would be followed by a four-day-long coaching camp for preparation of state team for the 20th Senior National Fencing Championship to be held at Lal Bahadur Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad from December 22 to 25,’’ OSFA working president Rabi Narayan Routray said. He also announced that state coach M Ali would conduct training in epee, foil and sabre on regular basis. The state team would be finalised after another camp in December. According to OSFA secretary Debendra Kumar Sahoo, equipment worth around Rs 50,000 has been procured for the training centre. Electronic scoring machine would be added in the near future. PHOTOS: TOP: Fencing demonstration takes place at the Utkal Karate School training centre in Bhubaneswar on Nov 15, 2009. BOTTOM: Officials of Orissa State Fencing Association at the new training centre in Utkal Karate School, Bhubaneswar on Nov 15, 2009.