FIAS Executive Committee backs putting recognition of SAMBO Europe, led by David Amaryan, on the Congress agenda

The Executive Committee of the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) met on 2 October 2026 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The FIAS President Vasily Shestakov opened the meeting with a report on the work carried out over the past year. Committee members also reviewed the FIAS 2027 calendar and FIAS membership matters, ratified the FIAS Anti-Doping Rules for 2027 and discussed preparations for the upcoming FIAS Congress.

One of the key items was the creation of the International Sports Federation "SAMBO Europe" and the prospect of FIAS recognizing it as the continental SAMBO federation for Europe.

Twenty-six national federations that are FIAS members have already joined SAMBO Europe.

The Executive Committee decided to put the following question on the agenda of the next FIAS Congress:

“On the recognition of the International Sports Federation 'SAMBO Europe' as the sole continental SAMBO federation in Europe recognized by FIAS.”

The final decision on recognizing SAMBO Europe will therefore be taken by the supreme governing body of the International SAMBO Federation, the FIAS Congress.

Earlier the same day, representatives of the European national SAMBO federations taking part in the creation of SAMBO Europe, under the leadership of David Amaryan, met in Thessaloniki.

Participants noted the need to keep developing SAMBO in Europe, expand the international competition calendar and strengthen cooperation with national federations and sports institutions across European countries. They also discussed promoting SAMBO for inclusion in the programs of Europe's largest multi-sport events.

The Executive Committee gave particular attention to anti-doping policy. It ratified the draft FIAS Anti-Doping Rules for 2027, prepared in line with the new WADA Code. The rules take effect on 1 January 2027.

FIAS Director General and Acting Secretary General Alexander Korsik said that one of the main changes is mandatory anti-doping education for athletes.

“The key change is that, starting next year, anti-doping education will be mandatory for all international sports federations. Under WADA requirements, athletes must complete educational courses to obtain a license. Certificates of completion are submitted to FIAS, and only with such confirmation can an athlete be licensed to compete,” Korsik said.

FIAS has already begun implementing the procedure, and most national federations have responded positively to the new requirements.