New directions in the activities of the Fund.

Vitaly Logvin who previously was the first vice-president of the organization was appointed the President of the International Charitable Fund. Our correspondent Tatiana Kolchanova spoke to the new president about the main directions of the Fund. The fencing world has witnessed a landmark event. The founder of the Found «For Future of Fencing» Alisher Usmanov was elected president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE). One of the main objectives of the Fund before the election of Usmanov for this position was full support for national federations to promote fencing in the world. Will the directions of the Fund’s activities change in the new conditions?

The Fund will continue to assist the federations. First, the new ones which are being created now then those experiencing economic hardship. Now the FIE includes 134 federation. Even such a powerful organization as the FIE cannot help all of them. The Fund has accumulated great experience in this area and I think that our knowledge and ability to interact with national federations will help the new leadership of the FIE. One of the objectives of the Fund is to assist countries that have decided to develop fencing. We will continue to provide them with guidance, special literature and video materials.

For several years the Fund has used such an effective form of activity as seminars and meetings. Will you continue developing this direction?

We have negotiated with the technical director of the FIE John Pop about the joining of the efforts of the FIE and the Fund for organizing international seminars and meetings. The FIE even with a conservative government of Renee Roc tried to use this form of work but all of these events had low efficiency. Our experience suggests that if we envisage the holding of a seminar in a country then the Government of that country and the National Olympic Committee must participate in its organization. Only then fencing in this region gets the opportunity to develop. In addition, to increase the effectiveness of the seminars we invite only great sportsmen and coaches who enjoy good reputation in the world fencing community to preside them.

Will the Fund to use the new forms of work for the promotion of fencing in the world?

Yes, of course. We have planned a fantastic action for this year. When I talk about this idea with representatives of different countries they cannot believe that it can be done. But, nevertheless, preparations for this event are already underway. This action will take place in Iceland June, 6 during a football match between Iceland and the Netherlands. An agreement was signed that during the break between the first and second time fencers will demonstrate their skills at the stadium for 15 minutes. In March we are going to meet with the Eurosport channel to arrange the broadcast of the show. Earlier such actions were not conducted anywhere and we hope that this event will be a breakthrough in the popularization of fencing. Such actions may attract new sponsors that will contribute to the prosperity of our sport. This show will involve about 40 countries from all over the world. Iceland is a northern country known for its geysers so the show will be called «Ice, fire and sabre». Why did we choose the sabre? We did it because the Fencing Federation of Iceland is developing only this type of fencing.

Will such actions be organized somewhere else in 2009?

In September in Luxembourg we are planning an event entitled «About Olympus» in the biggest sporting and concert hall of Europe. The question of holding the Intercontinental Cup  has already been endorsed by the founder of the Fund «For Future of Fencing» Alisher Usmanov. We have sent a request to the Fund of Pierre de Coubertin to support this action because the founder of modern Olympic Games himself went in for fencing. During this event we are planning to hold a weekly seminar for representatives of 30 countries and then the Cup itself which will be attended by teams from Europe and Asia with one representative of each type of fencing programme. This means that a foil fencer fences with another foil fencer and a sabre fencer with another sabre fencer respectively and etc. In case of even score at the end of the competitions the battle of captains will be held.

The programme of the President of the International Fencing Federation Alisher Usmanov includes actions aimed at the inclusion of all 12 types of fencing in the Olympic Games. Will the Fund contribute to arranging it?

This is a great deal of hard work which entirely comes upon the FIE and its President - Alisher Usmanov. As far as I know consultations have been scheduled on the subject with the President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and meetings with technical services of IOC concerning sport and advertising have been organized. I hope very much that the negotiations will be successful and fencing will be fully represented in the Olympic Games.