Patiala, Mar 17 (UNI) Prompted by the decision of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to fund five Olympic disciplines -- archery, boxing, judo, swimming and weightlifting, Fencing Association of India (FAI) has written to BCCI President Sharad Pawar, to consider funding fencing as well since the sport is suffering due to lack of adequate funds.
Talking to UNI here last night, the FAI secretary-general Arun Kumar Vij, who is also the Vice President of Commonwealth Fencing Federation and a key member of the 2010 Commonwealth Games organising committee, said he will soon meet the BCCI President to follow up his letter in order to convince him about the desperate need for funds to uplift fencing in the country.
''At present, we are getting a meagre grant from the Central Government which impedes the rapid progress of fencing in the country,'' Mr Vij said.
Indian men and women fencers participated in the last Asian Games in Doha, and have won medals in the Commonwealth Fencing Championship and other International competitions, he said.
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