Blind and Visually Impaired Sambists took part in the Indonesian Open SAMBO Championships

The Indonesian SAMBO Federation concluded the 2024 sports season with a highlight – the Indonesian Open SAMBO Championships, which was held from November 29 to December 1 in Bandung, West Java. The competitions were held in Sport and Combat SAMBO, as well as in SAMBO for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

As the organizers stated, “the tournament brought together 150 athletes from various regions of Indonesia and neighboring countries, becoming a celebration of the strength, skill and spirit of SAMBO.”

A special place in the championship was occupied by the participation of blind and visually impaired sambists, which became a significant step in the development of inclusiveness in this sport. With the support of the Indonesian Paralympic Committee, a number of events were organized that allowed these athletes to demonstrate their abilities.

President of the Indonesian SAMBO Federation Krishna Bayu stressed the importance of an inclusive approach to the development of SAMBO:

“For me, SAMBO is more than just a sport. It is a path to equality, an opportunity for everyone, regardless of physical limitations, to reach their potential. We are proud that we can support blind and visually impaired athletes, and are already planning new initiatives together with FIAS and the SAMBO Union of Asia and Oceania. We strive to ensure that their voices are heard and their successes are recognized. After all, SAMBO is a force that can unite.”