SAMBO for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Australia: Joining Forces to Move Forward

The Australian SAMBO Federation and Blind Sport South Australia have launched a joint initiative to promote inclusive sports in the country. SAMBO is expected to be introduced at a specialized school for the blind, and the national federation plans to create opportunities for blind and visually impaired athletes to train in one of Adelaide’s clubs.

These agreements were reached during a meeting between leaders of the Australian SAMBO Federation and representatives of the blind sports community. The meeting was attended by Emma Hart, board member of Blind Sport South Australia, and David Penn, President of Blind Cricket South Australia and Vice President of Blind Sport South Australia. The SAMBO Federation of Australia was represented by President Savely Timofeev and Secretary General Marina Filippova.

“We are strong advocates for making SAMBO accessible to all segments of the population in Australia, including people with disabilities. For some, SAMBO will become a way to socialize or build self-confidence, and for others, it may lead to a professional sports career and medals at major tournaments,” Savely Timofeev said.

He cited the recent performance of Mark Trompp at the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships as an example. The Australian athlete, who is completely blind, won a silver medal in the SVI-1 category (totally blind). This success did not go unnoticed in Australia – Mark now regularly receives interview and media appearance requests from various media.

Representatives of Blind Sport South Australia expressed strong interest in the joint development of SAMBO for the blind and visually impaired. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to begin close cooperation aimed at promoting the sport among people with visual impairments, supporting inclusive initiatives, and creating new opportunities for training, competition, and public recognition.

“This meeting was another step toward building a world where sport is truly open to everyone – regardless of physical limitations. Together with the SAMBO Federation of Australia, we want to focus on promising joint projects, including the development of inclusive sports programs, promotion of blind athletes’ achievements in SAMBO, and increasing visibility through radio, television, and digital media,” Emma Hart said.