In the world of fencing, where agility, strategy, and resilience are paramount, Malaysia’s 14-year-old fencing sensation, Saif Nordin, is already making waves. Now, with a high-profile partnership with the Foundation for Malaysian Sporting Excellence (SportExcel), Saif is setting his sights on the international stage, with aspirations to lift Malaysia’s flag on the world’s most prestigious podiums.
The partnership is a timely and crucial move in Saif’s career. At just 14, he has competed in elite competitions, including the Malaysian Games (SUKMA), the World Cadet and Junior Championships, the Commonwealth Fencing Championships, and the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Open Satellite series, clinching medals along the way. According to SportExcel’s chairman, YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran, who is a long-time advocate of Malaysian sports, this is only the beginning for Saif.
“Saif is at a pivotal moment in his sporting journey,” Tunku Imran said. “At 14, crucial decisions about his future are on the horizon. High-performing athletes are not made overnight; in many cases, it takes a decade or more to cultivate the discipline and skill needed to excel.”
SportExcel has long been a powerhouse for nurturing Malaysian athletic talent. Established in 1991, the organisation has been a driving force in Malaysian sports development, playing a vital role in supporting young athletes through financial backing and structured programmes. For Saif, this partnership brings him into a distinguished lineage of Malaysian sports stars.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the SportExcel family,” said Saif, with the poise of an athlete wise beyond his years. “Many high-performance athletes have come up through the ranks with their (SportExcel) support, and I aim to follow in their footsteps.”
He continued, “My journey is just beginning. Fencing is a global sport played at the SEA Games, Asia Games and the Olympics, and to compete on this level means we’re up against the best. But no one should say a Malaysian can’t do it.”
At his home club, Touché Fencing Club in Petaling Jaya, Saif trains under head coach Andrew Mok, an FIE-certified coach, with additional mentorship from former national fencer Mok Chek Wlong. Together, they have set Saif on an intensive training path, preparing him to face some of the best fencers across Asia, Europe, and beyond.
This collaboration between SportExcel and Saif marks an exciting chapter in his young career and exemplifies Malaysia’s evolving approach to sports development.
For Malaysian fans, Saif’s journey represents more than a young athlete’s ambition; it is a testament to the nation’s potential to excel in global sports. With SportExcel by his side, Saif’s partnership could begin a promising legacy in Malaysian fencing, inspiring the next generation to follow suit.
Stay tuned as Saif Nordin, with SportExcel’s support, takes his next steps on the international fencing circuit—proving that with grit, passion, and the right support, Malaysian athletes can go toe-to-toe with the best. 
