In a concerted effort to prepare the next generation of African fencers for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the International Fencing Federation (FIE), with the support of Olympic Solidarity, has launched a series of international training camps.
This initiative, recently highlighted on the FIE’s official website, aims to integrate promising young athletes into a structured and elite competitive environment designed to meet the rigorous demands of high-level sport.
To achieve this, three week-long training intensive programs were strategically organized to coincide with major Cadet and Junior World Cup events. These included a Foil-focused camp in Istanbul, Turkey, during October; a Sabre camp in Hammamet, Tunisia, in November; and an Epée program in Cairo, Egypt, in January 2026. These gatherings provided thirteen young fencers from twelve different African national federations the opportunity to combine technical training with direct international competition experience, significantly broadening their tactical skills and global exposure.
Central to this developmental approach is a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Female participation accounted for nearly half of the athletes involved in these camps, and the coaching staff similarly reflected this balance, with a woman serving among the three appointed lead coaches. Looking ahead, the FIE plans to consolidate these gains with a final reinforcement camp in early November 2026, specifically for qualified African fencers, just weeks before the Youth Olympic Games begin.
The effectiveness of these development programs was recently on display during the 2026 African Junior and Cadet Championships, held from February 16 to 20 in Dakar. The tournament saw several African nations vying for continental glory, with the Moroccan delegation delivering a particularly notable performance. Morocco secured a total of four medals, led by Zaimi Hiba, who claimed the gold medal in the U15 foil event.
The Moroccan medal tally was further bolstered by three bronze finishes across various categories. El Bounjaimi Mohamed took third place in the individual U17 sabre event, while the U17 women’s foil team—consisting of El Habti Maroua, Zaimi Hiba, El Idrissi Hafssa, and Meftah Radia—earned a bronze in their team competition. The U20 men’s Epée team also contributed to the success, with Ait Ben Ameur Jabir, Ghazi Zakaria, Mssassi Mohamed Taha, and Belkihel Anas securing a bronze medal. These results underscore the rising competitive level of young fencers across the continent as the countdown to Dakar 2026 continues.
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