FENCING is gaining strong momentum in Penang, with the Penang Amateur Fencing Association (PAFA) successfully launching two state-level competition series — the Penang Inter-School Talent Empowerment (PISTE) Series and the Penang Fencing Championship (PFC) — which have attracted a combined 383 participants across four competitions this year.
The PISTE Series, catering to school-age fencers from Under-8 to Under-17 categories, recorded 118 participations in its first leg held on March 21 and 22, followed by another 116 in its second leg on May 23 and 24.
Meanwhile, the PFC, which features categories ranging from Under-10 to Senior level, saw 46 participants in its first competition on April 18 and 103 in its second edition held at Sunshine Central on June 20 and 21.
Both series feature all three fencing weapons — foil, épée and sabre — with competitions held in individual and team events.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, who officiated the second PISTE competition, further supported the association with a contribution of RM2,500.
PAFA also received support from the Youth and Sports Ministry through the Dana Sukan Komuniti (DSK) grant of RM10,000, which helped fund the second PFC competition held at Sunshine Central.
Beyond competitions, the two series have allowed PAFA to establish a points-based ranking system, introduced in 2026 and calculated based on a six-month rolling period.
The system provides greater transparency for fencers and parents in the selection process for state representation. While the rankings came too late to be applied to Sukma 2026, they will serve as the basis for selection for Sukma 2028 and determine eligibility for the Program Bakat Khas, carried out in collaboration with the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP).
PAFA vice-president Kenny Cheah Wen Foong said the entry fees collected from the competitions had enabled the association to sponsor RM30,500 worth of new equipment for nine Penang Sukma fencers.
The funds also supported four coaching candidates with a combined RM2,000 contribution towards their participation in the JK Fencing Camp, where they trained under coaches from Club Scherma Pisa Antonio Di Ciolo — a renowned Italian fencing club that has produced world champions.
Looking ahead, Cheah said PAFA would roll out talent identification programmes from early 2027 to develop a structured state fencing programme involving schools across Penang.
“It fills the heart to see fencing growing across the state and changing the lives of fencers in remarkable ways,” he said.
“All this is made possible thanks to the support from parents, fencers and, not forgetting, PAFA committee members who have dedicated their personal time to building the fencing ecosystem in Penang, piece by piece.”
Both series will culminate in their season finales at 1st Avenue Mall, Penang, with the PISTE Finale scheduled for Sept 10 and 11, followed by the PFC Finale on Sept 12 and 13.
Registration remains open, and PAFA welcomes schools, fencers and families to participate or experience the sport firsthand.
Cheah also invited corporate brands to come on board as partners to support PAFA’s events as fencing in Penang enters its next phase of development.
Pix courtesy of Penang Amateur Fencing Association
