sport today

Fencing gradually picking up pace in Malta

FENCING IS A PRACTICALLY NEW SPORT FOR MALTA. ALTHOUGH IT WAS PLAYED DURING THE TIME MALTA WAS A COLONY, IT ONLY STARTED BEING PLAYED AGAIN IN 1992. JUAN FORMOSA IS A PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPORT AND ONE CAN’T POSSIBLY LEAVE HIM OUT WHEN MENTIONING THE ART OF THE SWORD. RAY ABDILLA SPEAKS TO MR FORMOSA ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR FENCING

Contrary to most of the other boys at school, a certain Juan Formosa used to prefer practicing fencing than the more popular football. He used to attend Stella Maris College during the early seventies when fencing was practiced. Juan had been enrolled in the sport by enthusiasts at Stella Maris College –Gzira coaching under the guidance of British and Maltese Army personnel.

Obviously he was one of the keenest fencers around but unfortunately when he left the college the sport started dying down.

But thanks to Brother Oscar, Juan Formosa started the sport again. "Brother Oscar phoned me in 1992 and told me to kick start the whole fencing idea which was practically dead. He told me to start the sport at Stella Maris again and I surely obliged," Juan said.

Time passed and in 1995 at last the sport was open for everyone, including adults. Being so in love with the sport, Juan has dedicated time and personal effort for the good of the sport.

Many ask why fencing doesn’t form a part of the Games of the Small States of Europe. Juan has attempted to see fencing included in the games even though fencing was just recently accepted as a member of the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC).

Not all small countries are that keen on fencing. San Marino has just started the sport very recently. Cyprus is not that active internationally while, in Iceland, they mostly concentrate in the Sabre weapon.

In Liechtenstein there is no fencing, as in Andorra, while Monaco is not very active either. The only country, active both at home and internationally is Luxembourg.

Juan started the St Paul Fencing Club in the same year. Juan holds qualifications issued by the British Fencing Association. From 1992 to 1995 an active promotion of the sport was launched in schools and amongst the public through displays, hands-on sessions and campaigns in the local media.

The main weapon practiced at St Paul is the Foil, although the practice of the Epee is promoted and encouraged. The Fencing classes are held on Monday (Club First Team), Tuesday 1800 to 2115 – Seniors, Wednesday 1700 to 1845 – Cadets and Juniors and 1900 to 2115 for Beginners, Thursday 1700 to 1845 – Cadets/Juniors and 1900 to 2115 the Seniors and Saturday A.M. Skolasport, SPFC Jnr/Cdt.

The SPFC competitions are normally held in December, April/May and in June. The competitions are termed “Ranking” since they are held under the auspices of the N.F.A.M Fencers taking part in these competitions are awarded "ranking points" which are based on the number of participants, whether local or foreign and the final placing of each fencer at the end of the competition.

A certain amount of ranking points are carried forward from a previous to every new fencing season.

All points are recorded both on a Club and National Ranking List. The SPFC Club Team selection is based on a weighted list from both "weapons" (Foil and Epee) practiced at the Club. The National team is selected from the National Ranking List.

The highlight of every season is the SPFC Malta International Open which had its fourth edition last May. This is a very popular competition and always attracts a large number of foreign competitors who in the past hailed mainly from the British Isles.

The sport was increasing in its popularity and in June 1997 an association was set up. It also became a member of the Fèdèration Interternationale d’Escrime (FIE) – Fencing World Governing Body.

Other important events on the calendar are the National Championships in each weapon and are normally held in February of each season. The first National Championships were held in 1998; these events are organised by the National Fencing Association – Malta. SPFC fencers have taken Golds in all four Weapons (Men’s foil, Epee, Ladies Foil, Epee) for the past three years.

Foreign Competitions

Through Juan’s and the committee’s contacts, the Maltese started participating against foreign fencers and overseas competitions kicked off.

Overseas competitions are divided into two categories – FIE events and Open Competitions. FIE events are divided into the following categories – World Championships, Zonal (in our case European) Championships, A –Grades and Grand Prix. At FIE events the fencers represent their respective countries and not the clubs of which they are members.

The selection of fencers to represent Malta is conducted by the N.F.A.M Council in accordance with the rules and regulations stipulated in the NFAM Statute. Since 1998 fencers from the SPFC have represented Malta at two World Championships (La-Chaux-de-Fonds-Switzerland in October 1998), Seoul, South Korea in November 1999) and two European Championships (Bolzano, Italy in June 1999 and in Madeira, Portugal in July 2000).

Training camps

The SPFC has organised a number of training camps in Malta while well known foreign fencing masters and ‘names’ in fencing have visited the island.

Foremost amongst these would be Maitre Ziemovit Woycekowski – British Team Coach, Maitre Patrick Boite – attached to the French Fencing Federation (NFAM sponsored), and Maitre Eva Marintcheva from the Bulgarian Fencing Federation.

One of the club’s early mentors who offered invaluable technical advice to the SPFC and who also visited Malta to conduct a training camp was Allan Skipp (Head of Coaching) from the British Fencing Association. Ken Dunn (GBR), Allessandro Di Bella (Italy), Robert Kiss (Hungary) also visited the SPFC last year increasing the club’s coaching experience.

Club sponsors

Needless to say, any club requires the financial support of sponsors to further its activities. It is thanks to firms such as Maltacom, Bank of Valletta and Sigma Paints (all main sponsors) together with Renault, Melita Cable TV, Charles Degiorgio Ltd, Forestals Appliances Ltd, ABC Stationers and Printers, Palymra, Robert Arrigo & Sons, Aquilina Bookshops, Wella Hair Products, Teamsport, Perfect Match and Realtime Real Estate that SPFC manages to organise its three seasonal ranking competitions.

In 1999 the Maltese Fencing Federation was affiliated with the European Fencing Confederation.

Need for more equipment

Regarding the sport, Juan believes that it is still considered to be a small sport in Malta and that is why it does not get any substantial aid. He said that although he agrees with the development of sport lately, he still feels that Fencing is still a bit on the way side.

"We need good premises for just ourselves because Fencing is not like any other sport. For example, we need equipment such as Pistes, which cost around Lm700 each. The Association needs at least four. We do get some funding from government and sponsors but that is not enough," he said.

But on the other hand, Juan is happy that although Fencing does not get enough credit it still produces good fencers. “There are some good fencers around and we are improving all the time."

"We have got a good level. We are not saying that we are as good as the Italians but we are not the Cinderella of fencing at club level foreign events. At the SPFC Malta Open at club level we have always improved.

"In 1998 we did not win any medals. In 1999 we reached the medals table and last year we won some gold medals."

At the moment there are around 140 active fencers in Malta, about 60 per cent men and 40 per cent women taking part in the sport.

There are two fencing clubs on the island. The St Pauls Fencing club and the En Guarde, Fencing cub.