SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 6, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament (Pickering-Scarborough East), on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), attended the 2015 Pan American Junior/Cadet Fencing Championships and took part in the awards ceremony.

Quick Facts

• The 2015 Pan American Junior/Cadet Fencing Championships are taking place from February 2 to 8 in Toronto and are hosted by the Canadian Fencing Federation (CFF) in conjunction with an organizing committee.
• The Pan American Junior Championships will attract 288 athletes under 20 years old from 11 countries.
• The 2015 Pan American Junior/Cadet Fencing Championships is a Pan American Games test event held at the new CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House, which features flexible gymnasium space for training and competition.
• For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, Sport Canada is contributing up to $429,000 to the CFF through the Sport Support Program.
• In 2014-2015, Sport Canada is contributing up to $50,000 through the Sport Hosting Program in support of the 2015 Pan American Junior/Cadet Fencing Championships.
• For the period from October 2014 to September 2015, close to $231,000 is being provided through the Athlete Assistance Program to support 20 fencing athletes with living and training expenses.
• Canadian fencing dates back to 1816 when Maître Girard opened the first fencing school in Montréal. The first Canadian Championships were held in 1902. The CFF was incorporated in 1971.

Quotes

"We are pleased to support the Canadian Fencing Federation in hosting the 2015 Pan American Junior/Cadet Fencing Championships. These Championships give our young and developing Canadian athletes a chance to compete against some of the world's best at home and in front of enthusiastic Canadian fans. During the Year of Sport in Canada-and as we prepare to host the TO2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games-we celebrate sport and our athletes as they help define our cultural fabric from coast to coast to coast."

-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"Hosting the 2015 Pan American Junior/Cadet Fencing Championships is an amazing opportunity to demonstrate our support for the development of Canadian athletes as we celebrate the Year of Sport in Canada. This event not only helps us promote our athletes, but is also an important social, cultural and economic driver that benefits Scarborough and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region."

-Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament (Pickering-Scarborough East)

"Hosting, organizing and funding major international sporting events such as the 2015 Cadet/Junior Pan American Fencing Championships has tested our abilities and resolve to be the best. This event brought hundreds of the top under-20 athletes, their coaches, support staff, parents, and fans from our Pan American zone to experience the Scarborough and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. This event was an excellent test of our great event staff and the beautiful, new CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House as we head into the upcoming Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. This zonal championship, and all of its benefits, could not have been possible without the continuing support of the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage and Sport Canada."

-Brad Goldie, President, Canadian Fencing Federation

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games (Official site)

Canadian Fencing Federation

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