India Hosts National SAMBO Championship Across Six Age Categories

The National SAMBO Championship of India took place from April 24 to 26 at the V.K. Krishna Menon Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala. Competition was held across three mats, with athletes competing in multiple age categories – from cadets to masters – representing states from across the country.

The championship was held under the technical oversight of Suresh Gopi, Secretary General of the SAMBO Union of Asia and Oceania (SUAO), who served as International Technical Delegate. The organizational work on behalf of the SAMBO India Association was led by President Abdul Lateef Namboola, Secretary General Ann Mary Philip, and Treasurer Ajit Sigamani.

Training Before the Start

On April 23, the day before competition began, a certification seminar for referees, coaches, and technical secretaries was held at the national level. Nearly 50 participants attended the event, which was conducted by three international experts: Carmen Wai Bunn Tang (Malaysia), Arsen Kamchibekov (Kyrgyzstan), and Zainal Arifin (Indonesia). The seminar covered current SAMBO rules, officiating standards, and competition management. Following theory and practical evaluations, 8 referees, 8 coaches, and 4 technical secretaries received official certification.

Congress and Governance

The Congress of the SAMBO India Association, with state representatives in attendance, was held on April 24. Alamjon Mulaev, President of SUAO and Vice President of FIAS, and Alexander Korsik, CEO of FIAS and Acting Secretary General, addressed the gathering online.

Competition and Results

Approximately 150 bouts were contested across all age categories over the three days of the championship. Kerala claimed the overall team title. Maharashtra finished second, and Haryana took third place.

“The 2026 National SAMBO Championship of India marked another important step in the development of the sport in the country, reflecting the steady growth of both its domestic competitive base and international cooperation in SAMBO,” said Abdul Lateef Namboola, President of the SAMBO India Association.