Fencers in action during the
Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Fencing
Federation Championship 2010
which was hosted by Brunei.A
TID programme to identify potential
young fencers was held in Berakas
yesterday.Picture:BT File

More than 40 athletes from Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School (SMMJA) and Brunei Muara Fencing Club attended the Fencing Talent Identification (TID) programme yesterday.

The TID programme, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday, was a joint effort between the Coaching Unit and Sports Development Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Brunei Muara Fencing Club.

Designed to identify talented young athletes through a number of tests on body composition, flexibility, balance, muscle endurance, coordination, speed, power, agility, muscle strength, reaction and cardiovascular, the effort was also to scout for fencing athletes for the SEA Games in 2015 and 2017.

"In this TID programme the aim is to look for potential athletes to be absorbed into the national squad and there are certain quality that we will be looking for ... such as good physical condition, good agility, flexibility, endurance and stamina. From there we will be able to identify the potential players for the sport," said Rocky Poerawinata , the national fencing coach.

"Today (Monday) they did the fitness test like running and other basic exercises. They also did target practice with fencing swords," he added.

"We are looking for at least 10 athletes to prepare for the SEA Games in 2015 and 2017."

The programme is a long term project and is important in ensuring that Brunei does not get left behind in the scientific approach to producing talented athletes in fencing.

"We are targeting students ages 14 to 17. The test will also be conducted throughout the country ... in Belait, Tutong and Temburong," said Umar Ali Ibrahim, the assistant coach at the Coaching Unit and Sports Development Department

"Fencing has been around and practised by some in Brunei for quite a while, but not that many people know about it. Hopefully, with this TID programme we will be able to identify the potential athletes for the future.

"We have done road shows to introduce fencing to the public as well as educate them about the sport. Today (Monday) we put some of them through a series of fitness tests before they can start training," he added.

Courtesy from Brunei Times