The XXXII Congress of the International SAMBO Federation was held on the 5th of November 2020 at the Park Hotel in Novi Sad, Serbia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to carry out this event in a mixed format when some of the delegates were present in person, and some joined remotely, via video conferencing connection. In the aggregate, the Congress was attended by representatives of 70 countries.
The summary report was made by the FIAS President Vasily Shestakov. He started his speech briefing on a series of online SAMBO tournaments that had been carried into effect. He turned the delegates’ attention to the fact that the development of the Online SAMBO discipline had made it possible to recompense the deficit in sports, needs for motion and international communication emerged due to the COVID-19 coronavirus infection.
Following the Online SAMBO competitions review, the FIAS head moved on to information regarding the real-life events that took place in early 2020. In particular, he made a mention of the International SAMBO Tournament for the Prizes of the President of the Republic of Belarus held in Minsk on February 20-21. Representatives of more than 20 countries of the world took part in the tournament. ‘This was the first competition where the latest changes in the FIAS refereeing rules had been tested. There were no serious complaints from experts, as athletes, coaches, and referees who serve them are adapting to the innovations,’ said the President of the International SAMBO Federation.
Vasily Shestakov also highlighted educational seminars held on the Asian and European continents as a special item in the general sports agenda. ‘Early this year, the capital of Spain hosted the FIAS International Seminar for Referees. I would like to express my gratitude to the leadership of the Spanish Federation of Olympic Wrestling and Associated Disciplines for the support provided in holding this event,’ accentuated Shestakov.
One of the highlights of this year was the establishing of the Professional Combat SAMBO League. This event took place in February in Sochi, Russia. As part of the tournament, a round table was held themed as “The Prospects for the Global Development of the Professional Combat SAMBO League”, in which the officials and members of the international SAMBO community partook.
In the final part of his report, the FIAS leader congratulated the renowned SAMBO-70 School on its 50th Anniversary, and also touched on such important event as the launch of the SAMBO carrier rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Speaking about the priorities of the International SAMBO Federation, the President reminded the delegates about the participation of SAMBO in multisport competitions, which include the II European Games in Minsk and the Games of Southeast Asia, both held in 2019. ‘Next year, SAMBO will take part in the Asian Indoor Games in Thailand, the FISU Martial Arts Games in Yekaterinburg, and in 2023 SAMBO will become a rightful participant in the World University Games in Yekaterinburg,’ outlined the future plans Vasily Shestakov.
Then the FIAS President spoke about the construction of the International SAMBO Center in Luzhniki (Moscow, Russia). He noted that the construction of the sports facility is in full swing and there is every reason to believe that next year, during the World SAMBO Championships in Moscow, the competition participants will be able to visit this new unique facility.
