FPA GROUP AND QATARI FENCING FEDERATION SIGN PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP THE SPORT ACROSS THE REGION.
FPA Group, holder of the technical brands made in Italy Carmimari and ONTC, and the Qatar Fencing Federation announce a four-year partnership, for the development of the Olympic Discipline in the country.
Milan, Doha, 6 February 2022 – In the important setting of the FIE Grand Prix of Doha held in the Aspire Academy, The made in Italy fencing gear manufacturers, ONTC and Carmimari, part of the FPA group, and the Qatar Fencing Federation have signed a four-year sponsorship and support partnership, with the combined goal of developing Fencing within and outside the borders of the country. Representing the parties were Francesco Rossi, CEO of the FPA Group, and Khalid Al Hamadi, General Secretary of the Qatar Fencing Federation.
The partnership is born on the combined objectives of the two realities: the interest of Qatar in building a program that will carry the Country to the top of the International rankings of Fencing – an important source of Olympic medals – to the same level of other successful Qatari programs, such as high jump and football; for FPA, the objective of a strategic growth in foreign markets for its brands in the short term and the evolution of the Fencing market in the long term, in particular for the generation of a wider audience for a region with huge potential.
Specifically, the high-quality products made in Italy of Carmimari and ONTC will be provided to the national program of the Federation of Qatar, namely starting with the Under 17, to the Senior representative of the National Team. Headed by the Italian coach Massimo Omeri, the national representative will test the most advanced training techniques together with the most advanced equipment in the industry manufactured by the Italian brands.
Lastly, the FPA Group will support the promotion and management of the branded image and media of the Qatari Fencing Federation, beginning with the development of new logos to complement the color schemes of the National Team, up until the creation of private events in the city of Doha.
“It’s an important and ambitious testing ground for the future of fencing.” says Francesco Rossi, CEO of FPA Group, “Working with a committed Federation, which aims to be a hub of excellence for Sport worldwide is for us a great reason of pride. It is necessary to bring new ideas to Fencing, for it to become the next Sport with high global media visibility. An opportunity that we intend to extend starting from Qatar to the whole market.
A strategy that brings an immediate advantage to the whole Movement. “fact is that Fencing has an incredibly developed professional field,” – continues Rossi – “but, it fails to convey effectively nor its values nor its incredible athletic gestures to a potentially wider audience, in search of something new. We think it is our obligations as fencers to act more boldly, and do effective collaborations with Fencing Federations that aim to bring change around“.
Qatar Fencing Federation
The Qatar Fencing Federation was established on 20 December 2000 fulfilling the demand to include the Olympic Sport of Fencing in the State of Qatar.
During the years of activity of the Association, led by its founding president Sheikh Mohammed Yousaf Al Mana, the numbers of fencers registered in Qatar have doubled. Thanks to this rapid development, the Qatar Fencing Federation participated for the first time in the World Fencing Championships in Portugal and in the 14th Asian Games in Busan, 2002. With the creation of a Federal institution, Qatar was able to continuously host the FIE Grand Prix in Doha, a highly anticipated stop of the Fencing World Cup Circuit and participated by delegations from all around the world.
FPA Group – Argumented Commerce SRL
Argumented Commerce SRL was founded in 2012 in Italy (the most winning Fencing Country in the World) along with the commercial name “ONTC” to extend access to Fencing for all, by reducing exponentially the price of the equipment. Subsequently, in 2018 it acquired Carmimari, the brand inventor of the electric foil, the base signaling system used in modern fencing nowadays, and sponsor of some of the most famous names in Olympic History. In 2021, the Group re-branded in “FPA Group”, with the introduction of its third brand – FPA – aimed at promoting and managing the branded image of Fencing to new audiences.