Guinea Hosts First Open SAMBO Championships

The city of Mamou has hosted the first Guinea Open SAMBO Championships in the country’s history. The tournament was held together with the Guinea Cup, and athletes competed for the prize of Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya. The event was organized by the Guinean Federation of Sambo and Associated Disciplines and also included an international seminar for coaches and referees.

The events took place from October 14 to 18 in Mamou, often called the “crossroads city” of Guinea. The competition, held with the support of the Mamou prefecture, was hosted at the local House of Youth. The national federation said it intends to develop SAMBO in the country together with the authorities and all stakeholders, under the motto “All for SAMBO, SAMBO for all”.

Ahead of the competition, Mamou hosted a two-day seminar for coaches and referees. It brought together 24 coaches and 28 referees from Guinea and neighboring countries, including representatives of Liberia and Sierra Leone. The sessions, led by FIAS International Category Referee Ali Ouel Djemel and coach of the Moroccan national SAMBO team Mohamed Samir Azennoud, focused on the finer points of the SAMBO rules and the requirements for officiating competitions.

The organizers set two goals: to train young referees and coaches, and to update the knowledge of experienced specialists on SAMBO technique and the latest changes to the refereeing rules.

“A strong body of referees and coaches is essential for the development of SAMBO in the country,” the tournament’s organizing committee said in a statement.

Winners and medalists were determined in various age and weight categories. They were awarded medals and special prizes.

“The first Guinea Open SAMBO Championship is meant to give a fresh push to the development of SAMBO in our country. A high-level competition was combined with training for referees and coaches, which helps raise the level of our specialists. We are confident that this will contribute to the further growth of the sport in Guinea,” said Amadou Sadigou Bah, President of the Guinean Federation of Sambo and Associated Disciplines.