Olympic Asia supports SAMBO

In its activity, FIAS actively implements the idea of friendly work relations with the leading sports organisations, as well as with the leaders of contemporary Olympic movement. The range of such events includes the working meeting between Vasily Shestakov, FIAS President, and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President. As known, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah was elected President of ANOC this year in April at the XVIII ANOC General Assembly in Moscow. He is the Minister of National Security of Kuwait, International Olympic Committee member and Chairman of its Olympic Solidarity Commission. He has been the Head of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) since 1991. Vasily Shestakov, FIAS President, Alexander Kozlovsky, Vice President of the European Olympic Committee, and Andrey Klyamko, FIAS First Vice President, visited Kuwait to meet one of the leaders of international sports movement. Practical aspects of SAMBO development in Asia – part of the world whose role and place in the system of contemporary international sports cannot be overestimated – were discussed at the meeting. FIAS treats the development of SAMBO in Asia very seriously; a number of its projects are related to Asia, and a substantial part of SAMBO official calendar events are conducted in this part of the globe. Vasily Shestakov told the President of Olympic Council of Asia about the efforts FIAS makes for SAMBO development. The President made a point of SAMBO unique character as a sport that can be used in the life of people. It’s not a secret that a lot of sports, maybe even most of them, are of little practical use, whereas SAMBO being not only a sport but also a unique self-defense system can be in demand with almost everyone. Its democratic character cannot but attract. SAMBO is available to everyone: children, women, elderly people, and people with disabilities. In this regard, FIAS implements interesting up-to-date projects such as “Proper Falling Technique” and “SAMBO – Safe Life”, etc. On his part, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah gave a high rating to FIAS activity. He admitted SAMBO unique distinctive character and noted the attention currently paid in the modern sports world to this martial art. This is proved by the fact that SAMBO was included into the programme of Universiade – 2013 in Kazan and into the Children of Asia International Sports Games. Moreover, it was the OCA President who thanks to his authority facilitated a wider representation of member countries at this youth sports festival in Yakutia. “I think SAMBO is a very promising perspective sport and its presence can enrich the world sports movement. This is also proved by FIAS modern social projects and developing system of SAMBO competitions”, noted Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah. Athletes from 21 countries took part in the Asian SAMBO Championship this year. In the course of discussion, it was agreed that in the near future SAMBO could be included in the program of large scale Asian complex competition, such as Indoor Games and Beach Games, and probably Asian Games. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah invited FIAS delegation to make a SAMBO presentation at the Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly (October 2012, Macao). Thus, the tradition of SAMBO presentation at large-scale official Olympic forums will be continued. FIAS got its first experience of this kind this year in April in Budapest where SAMBO presentation took place at the European Olympic Committees seminar. The ANOC President and the FIAS President also agreed on the next upcoming meeting in London at the XXX Summer Olympic Games. The meeting in Kuwait with one of the most powerful people in the sports of today proves the fact that FIAS is on the right track of development, and gives confidence in a better future for our favourite sport SAMBO. FIAS Press Office