The countdown to Jordan hosting one of the region’s most exciting sporting events of the year has reached 40 days

 and organisers are putting in the final touches before welcoming the world to the FIE Junior and Cadet World Fencing Championships from March 29-April 6, according to a statement from the organisers.

Preparations took a huge step forward last week when the Local Organising Committee (LOC) received a positive inspection report from the Federation Internationale d’Escrime (FIE) delegation led by Raniero Bernardini, FIE sports events manager.

The spectacular setting of the Dead Sea at the lowest point on earth, which attracts more than 500,000 tourists every year, is being prepared for nine days of action when the best young fencers from 100 countries will enjoy exceptional hospitality and world-class facilities.

With an impressive track record of hosting world championships and global conferences, Jordan is pulling out all the stops to stage an event to remember with a number of world titles up for grabs.

The FIE delegation attended a series of meetings in Amman and at the Dead Sea to inspect the venues and to discuss scheduling, transportation, accommodation, entry visas, medical and logistics support.

“The visit provided an opportunity to get feedback from the FIE delegation, which also included representatives of FIE accredited equipment suppliers, to allow us to discuss all technical details,” Khaled Atiyat, Jordan Fencing Federation and LOC president, was quoted in the statement as saying. “We have formed an extremely capable LOC and enjoy the full support from the Jordan Olympic Committee which is working with us to ensure that the Kingdom will host another world-class event to remember.”

Just a week after hosting the FIE, Jordan will welcome the world’s best rally drivers for the FIA World Rally Championship which will also be based at the King Hussein Ben Talal Convention Centre.

Since 2006, the Kingdom has also hosted world championships in cross-country running, triathlon, snooker and rallying (twice) as well as the IOC World Conference on Women and Sport.