Ibtihaj Muhammad speaking to the young athletes during the Qatar Foundation’s Touché: International Fencing Day event at Education City.
Doha, Qatar: More than 100 aspiring female fencers came together at Qatar Foundation’s Touché: International Fencing Day at Education City Stadium, with Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad leading the event.
Muhammad a fencing world champion, best-selling author, and the first American woman to compete in the Olympics wearing the hijab is a fencing ambassador for Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Creating Pathways Programme, which empowers women and girls through sport and offers opportunities for them to participate in five different sports.
During the event, the girls were introduced to the fundamentals of fencing, learning basic stance, footwork and techniques in a welcoming and engaging environment. Participants also took part in speed and agility activities and had the opportunity to compete in friendly competitions, while watching demonstrations.
“Fencing is physical, but it’s also a sport of strategy and discipline,” Muhammad said. “It teaches you to think quickly, trust yourself, and be brave. Those are the kind of skills that stay with you far beyond competition.”
“I hope the participants leave feeling confident, inspired, and excited to keep going. More than anything, I want them to see that fencing can open doors, create community, and show them just how much they are capable of.”
Muhammad’s appearance at Touché was part of a wider visit, which also included leading intensive Creating Pathways Programme training sessions, visiting schools, and delivering workshops for teachers.
Reflecting on the importance of creating visible pathways into fencing, Muhammad highlighted how events such as World Fencing Day can help introduce more girls to the sport and inspire them to get involved.
“When girls have the opportunity to experience fencing and see women participating and leading in the sport, it becomes something they can imagine for themselves,” she said. “Events like this help turn that into a real pathway.
“Seeing these young girls fencing here in Qatar reminds me that the future of our sport can be more global, more diverse, and more inclusive than ever before. Today they’re discovering fencing, but tomorrow they could be champions and role models for the next generation. That’s how you build a lasting future for the sport.”
The QF event represented another step in building a stronger pathway for girls interested in fencing in Qatar – from their first experience of holding a blade to opportunities for sustained participation and development.
“Sport participation does not happen by chance. It grows when girls have opportunities that feel accessible, relevant, and welcoming,” Safia Al Naimi, Director of Sports Strategy at Qatar Foundation, says.
“Events like Touché help introduce girls to sports they may not otherwise consider, while creating opportunities to try, learn, and engage in a supportive environment.” Al Naimi says that role models play an important role in expanding young people’s aspirations. She said: “Ibtihaj Muhammad’s journey demonstrates that sporting excellence, identity and personal values can go hand in hand. Her story is a reminder that success does not require comprising who you are.”
Al Naimi added: “We are grateful to the Qatar Fencing Federation for its continued partnership and commitment to growing the sport in Qatar.”
The Creating Pathways Programme was launched as part of QF’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 legacy. It includes five sports – fencing, track and field, volleyball, tennis, and basketball.
