Abdelmoneim El-Husseiny has been officially named interim president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) during an Executive Committee meeting held in Switzerland on 30 April following the resignation of Emmanuel Katsiadakis of Greece. Katsiadakis had been serving as acting president since December, stepping in after the suspension of long-time FIE president Alisher Usmanov due to international sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine.
El-Husseiny, 58, is a former president of the Egyptian Fencing Federation and current vice president of the FIE. His nomination, proposed by a fellow committee member, was overwhelmingly approved, receiving 19 out of 20 votes.
El-Husseiny’s elevation to the prestigious role is a testament to his long-standing contributions to the sport, both regionally and globally. Under his leadership, Egyptian fencing saw a transformative rise, culminating in an Olympic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games and a steady stream of podium finishes at World Championships across youth, junior and senior categories.
El-Husseiny told Al-Ahram Weekly that the appointment was an “immense honour and a serious responsibility”, emphasising its symbolic importance in the context of the sport’s global expansion. “It marks a turning point,” he said. “Fencing is truly becoming a global sport. I am proud to represent Africa and Egypt, a country that has seen remarkable progress in fencing in recent years, with numerous World Championship medals across age categories and an Olympic medal in Paris 2024.”
Reelected in November last year as vice president of the FIE for a second consecutive term, El-Husseiny was also inducted into the FIE Hall of Fame for life in recognition of his exceptional service to international fencing, an honour bestowed upon only one candidate globally each year.
His ascension to the helm of the FIE is not only a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for Egyptian sports administration, underscoring Egypt’s growing influence on the international sporting stage.
El-Husseiny acknowledged the potential challenges of being the first non-European to head the FIE but expressed confidence in the unity and professionalism of the Executive Committee. He emphasised a vision rooted in integrity, development and global solidarity.
“Since the FIE Executive Committee works collaboratively,” El-Husseiny said, “future decisions will continue to be shaped by majority consensus.”
He outlined a long-term strategy focused on empowering the various commissions within the FIE, each tasked with expanding and promoting fencing within their respective domains. “The strategy rests on three pillars: improving the sport’s overall development, especially officiating, expanding its reach beyond Europe into continents like Africa, Asia and North and South America, and enhancing the sport’s visibility and appeal.”
Reflecting on the enthusiastic crowds at the Paris 2024 Olympic fencing events, he said he hoped to replicate that “electrifying atmosphere” at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. “I have huge plans to make fencing more accessible and spectator-friendly by increasing its speed and spectacle, a goal supported by coordinated efforts among FIE commissions.”
On refereeing “we have acknowledged persistent challenges, despite the use of video refereeing technology. We aim to push officiating accuracy to a 95 per cent error-free rate by minimising human error through ongoing training and system improvements. As FIE president, I also serve as a representative of the refereeing commission, reinforcing my commitment to this critical area.”
El-Husseiny highlighted the disparity in global representation within the FIE. While European countries are fully engaged, Africa is represented by only 31 of its 53 nations, and Asia and Pan-American show similar gaps. “I aim to close these gaps by increasing the number of participating countries and offering targeted financial and technical support.” A recent decision to redistribute FIE competitions, ensuring that each continent hosts up to 25 per cent of events, is expected to play a significant role in the sport’s global growth.
While affirming his impartiality as president, El-Husseiny acknowledged that Egypt indirectly benefits from his role, citing increased international interest and the possibility of hosting future FIE congresses.
During his two terms as president of the Egyptian Fencing Federation from 2017 to 2024, El-Husseiny implemented a strategic long-term development plan. Prioritising grassroots development, the federation focused on nurturing young talent which quickly yielded results at junior world championships. Egypt’s progress culminated in a senior World Championship medal in 2023 by Ziad Al-Sisi and a bronze in Paris 2024 by Mohamed Al-Sayed. With these achievements, El-Husseiny chose not to seek re-election, confident in Egypt’s continued ascent as a global fencing powerhouse.
Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi welcomed El-Husseiny to the ministry’s headquarters for a meeting that explored the future of Egyptian sports and avenues for collaboration with the international federation.
Sobhi extended congratulations to El-Husseiny on his historic election, hailing the achievement as “a national milestone that reflects global confidence in Egyptian leadership”, Sobhi then presented El-Husseiny with the ministry’s shield of appreciation.
“We are working in alignment with the directives of Egypt’s political leadership to empower national talents and strengthen partnerships with international federations for the comprehensive development of sport in Egypt,” Sobhi said. “Having an Egyptian figure at the helm of a major international sports federation like fencing is a powerful testament to the strength and reputation of Egyptian sport.
“We regard sport as a form of soft power and a strategic domain supported by our leadership. We are committed to deepening international cooperation, particularly in individual sports such as fencing, in which Egypt has demonstrated tremendous potential and success.”
El-Husseiny added he was grateful for the minister’s continued support. “Every request I make on behalf of Egypt, be it financial or technical, is met without hesitation by the FIE, enabling us to take tangible steps in developing the sport locally.
“Egypt is set to claim 25 of the FIE’s global performance awards, an unprecedented figure that reflects the dominance and excellence of Egyptian fencing. Our national team is currently considered among the best in the world.”
El-Husseiny highlighted standout Egyptian fencers Abdel-Rahman Tolba, currently ranked the world’s best in foil, and Al-Sayed, regarded as the world’s top sabre fencer, both serving as shining examples of Egypt’s rising prominence in the sport.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 8 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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