SPORTS REPORTER

After recovering from a knee injury, 2019 South Asian Games gold medallist Fatema Mujib is set to return to competitive fencing when the President Cup Fencing Championships begin at the Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali Handball Stadium in Paltan today.

Fatema, who won gold in the sabre event at the 7th National Fencing Championship in April last year, missed the July Revolution Fencing Championships in August after sustaining the injury during preparations for the SA Games. She later underwent surgery at the Combined Military Hospital and was advised by doctors to take a full four-month rest.

Her comeback is expected to add extra sparkle to the four-day tournament, which will feature around 250 fencers from 18 teams, including various districts, Bangladesh Army, Navy, Ansar and VDP, Border Guard Bangladesh, private universities, and other educational institutions and clubs. Competitions will be held in individual and team foil, epee, and sabre events.

“Fatema is now fully fit to play following her four-month absence,” said Bangladesh Fencing Federation president Kamal Islam. “We are also working with other promising fencers to help them step up.”

He added that Fatema has become a symbol of fencing in the country. “Many have taken up the sport after being inspired by her success at the SA Games.”

The President Cup is also seen as a key preparatory event for next year’s International Fencing Championships in Nepal and the Asian Fencing Championships in India in June.

Like the July Revolution Fencing Championships, Suzuki Motorbike Bangladesh is once again sponsoring the tournament, organisers confirmed at a press briefing.