Sports Authority of India to sponsor fencers

Thiruvananthapuram: The Sports Authority of India will take care of the expenses of the five Malayali fencers of SAI centre at Thalasserry, who will  participate  in the Junior and Cadet Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2015-16 in Cape Town from July 11 to 17. 

 

This follows the Deccan Chronicle report of  June 18 (Lack of sponsors push these atheletes to the fence) regarding the plight of the fencers who were unable to raise the required money which come to Rs 14 lakh in total. 

This was confirmed to DC by SAI director (Kerala region) Dr. G. Kishore after the SAI director- general Injeti Srinivas  sanctioned the proposal put forth by him.

 

The seven fencers selected for the event-- K. Bibish, M. S. Greashma, Josna Jose, Aadhith Raj, Anil Akhila, K. Anitha and S. G. Aarcha--were  finding it difficult to meet the travel, accommodation and other  expenses for the trip.  Their Maharashtrian coach, Sagar S. Lagu, will accompany  the fencers who will compete  in epee/foil/sabre (individual and team events). 

 

SAI sources said that the Patiala and Tamil Nadu fencers’ expenses are likely to be met  by their respective SAI centres.

 

“The Malayali fencers’ expenses have been sanctioned by the SAI DG Mr. Srinivas. The decision has come as a morale booster to the fencers and  the exposure they will get will improve their performance,”  said Mr Kishore.

 

Each fencer was supposed to cough up Rs 150, 816 towards air ticket, visa, licence fee, insurance, entry fee (individual and team events), accommodation and transportation.