Dalil SCALLI: "I am 80% sure that SAMBO will be included in the program of the Olympic Games in 2028"

This statement was made by the President of the African Sambo Confederation, Dalil Scalli, on the eve of the start of the African SAMBO Championships in Cairo (Egypt).

“I am 80% sure that SAMBO will be included in the Olympic program in 2028 in Los Angeles (USA). If the outcome is favorable, this may even happen as early as 2024 in Paris, but only as a demonstration sport, – said the FIAS Vice President. – Unfortunately, the Parisian program has already been drawn up, so our chances are not great. If the Summer Olympic Games were held in Russia or in one of the former republics of the USSR, I am sure that SAMBO would be included in the Olympic program, since the development of this sport in these countries is at a high level."

He also noted the relevance and high importance of the permanent recognition of the IOC obtained by FIAS. “We went to this for a very long time, we have come a really long way. In many ways, this success became possible thanks to the work of the FIAS President Vasily Shestakov, who headed the organization in 2009. Through the joint efforts of continental and national federations, as well as the FIAS apparatus, in 2018 we were able to obtain temporary recognition, and now it is permanent. Three years of intensive work, and finally the dream has come true,” said Dalil Scalli.

“Ahead of all of us is waiting for another breakthrough in the development of SAMBO,” the head of the African SAMBO Confederation is sure. “The permanent recognition of the IOC will give our sport many advantages: from now on, the national ministries of sports will begin to perceive SAMBO as an Olympic sport, they will start investing in its development, because this affects the country's image,” Dalil Scalli noted. “I am sure that in the very near future we will make another big step forward,” concluded the FIAS Vice President.