FIAS Participates in the IPC General Assembly in Seoul

From September 24 to 27, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly was held in Seoul, South Korea – one of the landmark events of the global Paralympic movement. For the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS), this was a debut appearance, underscoring the growing role of SAMBO in the field of sports for people with disabilities.

FIAS was represented at the forum by Roman Novikov, Chair of the FIAS Commission for Athletes with Disabilities, and Alexander Korsik, FIAS Development Director. Their work included not only participation in the Assembly sessions but also a series of meetings with representatives of national Paralympic committees and international federations.

A highlight of the event was the meeting with IPC President Andrew Parsons, who praised FIAS’s efforts in developing SAMBO for blind and visually impaired athletes. “We are pleased that SAMBO for athletes with visual impairments has become part of the global Paralympic movement,” noted Parsons, confirming that SAMBO is steadily gaining recognition as a para-sport on the international stage.

One of the central topics of the Assembly was the introduction of the new IPC International Classification Code, which came into force on January 1, 2025. Classification plays a crucial role in the Paralympic movement as it ensures fair and equal conditions for all athletes.

“From the very beginning, FIAS has firmly adhered to the principle of fair play, and compliance with international standards is an integral part of our development,” emphasized Roman Novikov.

It should be recalled that in 2025, FIAS was granted recognition by the International Paralympic Committee as an IPC Recognized International Federation, becoming one of only 15 sports organizations worldwide to hold this status. This recognition not only validated the significant work done to promote SAMBO for blind and visually impaired athletes but also opened new prospects for the future — including the possibility of applying for inclusion in the Paralympic Games program.

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov previously noted:

“Our athletes prove that human potential goes far beyond physical limitations. They become role models not only for SAMBO but for the entire sporting community.”

The debut participation of FIAS in the IPC General Assembly marked an important step in strengthening SAMBO’s position on the international sporting stage and reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to developing inclusive sport.