A master fencers' school with the support of the World Fencing Federation would be opened in the city next month and the World Cup is likely to be held in India next year, Fencing Association of India president Kanthi Chowdhury said today. He said the fencing's world body would grant US $ 12,000 per year, for payment of salary to the technical director, while US $20,000 would be provided over the next four years.

The Karnataka government would provide two halls, a 60-room hostel and three staff quarters at a nominal rent and added that the school would cater to the fencers of Asia and Oceania region. He said that the course would be for a duration of two years. The World FencingFederation (WFF) has also promised to allot the next year's World Cup to India and noted that it was mandatory to hold the world championship in the three successive years. The venue for the World Cup was likely to be either Bangalore or Delhi.

Jumbo contingent

THE largest contingent at the games is not any state but the media, the press box had nearly 300 scribes. There were printing press owners, bar tenders, vegetable vendors, corporators, rowdies and all and sundry from non existent news papers at the press box. These self-styled `journalists' were scrambling for snacks and some even took extra plates home. Little wonder then the organisers ran out of cards and some real scribes were left without accreditations.

Power games

THE fourth National Games organising committee had its first taste of power shortage as the first two sessions of gymnastics had to be conducted in Mysore using a generator set. This despite the state government's assurance that there would be no power cut during the games period. However, the two sessions were held without any break. Though the organisers declared free entry for the public, not many evinced interest in the event, atleast on the opening day.

No meat

There was a an unsavoury scene at the dining hall, if one could call it so -- the players were actually seated on the floor -- when one of the Haryana strongmen found to his consternation that he got a measly portion of chicken. He had to literally fight his way through the melee and get a couple of extra portions to satisfy his appetite.

Cell phone craze

Many of the officials, including chef-de-missions of the various team have been provided with the latest toy, the mobile phone. And the officials seem to be having a whale of a time, speaking to each other on it, even while standing as little as 100 yards apart. Wonder how much time they saved by avoiding that 100 yard walk. As for the tab, since it is being picked up by someone else, who cares.

Nandu says it all

In Kannada, `Nandu', means `mine'. The organisers seem to have taken that to heart and made the participants some kind of outsiders.Politicians, contractors and officials are the ones calling the shots, while the players are languishing.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.