![Chief guest Dr B L Gupta, Principal of Government Degree College Billawar interacting with fencer while inaugurating the Championship.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/page10-312-300x227.jpg)
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 17: 3-days 12th Open State Fencing Championship was inaugurated by Dr B L Gupta, Principal Government Degree College Billawar in College Campus, here today.
Mohinder Gupta, Divisional Forest Officer, Billawar presided over the function while Dr Ram Lal Upadhaya, Former UNO Advisor, was the guest of honour.
The Championship is being organized by J&K Amateur Fencing Association in collaboration with J&K State Sports Council and Govt Degree College Billawar.
Over 200 fencers including 50 girls from different districts of the State will compete for 92 medals in three events of Sabre, Epee and Foil in Under–12, Under–17 and Open Category for both boys and girls.
Players of international and national repute including Major Bikram Singh Jamwal, Rashid Ahmed, Sanjeev Suri, Ujwal Gupta, Ranchan Sabarwal, Richa Sabarwal, Vishal Thapar, Vilas Radotra, Koushal Sharma from Billawar and Sagar Sahi from Jammu are also taking part in the competition.
The event is being conducted by Chottu Lal, Fencing Coach of J&K State Sports Council, who is being assisted by other senior players like Shivani Hans and Dimple Thapa.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr B L Gupta congratulated the organizers for holding such a mega sports event in a hilly and remote area like Billawar.
DFO Billawar and Dr Ram L Upadhaya also spoke on this occasion.
In Under-12 final played between Mayank Sharma of District Kathua and Naman Kumar of Jammu District, Mayank Sharma emerged as winner, while Balbir Singh of Ramban District and Poorvik Suri of Jammu District secured 3rd and 4th position respectively.
The function ended with the vote of thanks presented by Chottu Lal.