FIAS President Vasily Shestakov says he believes the newly-opened International SAMBO Center will help the sport's global expansion ©FIAS

The President of the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) Vasily Shestakov says he believes the opening of a new International SAMBO Center in Moscow will provide further impetus to the sport’s global expansion.

Writing exclusively for insidethegames today, Shestakov offered an invitation to sambists around the world to use the facility.

"For the entire SAMBO family, this has become a truly momentous event," Shestakov wrote.

"Today I wish to congratulate sambists all over the world on finding their own home where they can perform, practice and hone their technical mastery.

"The International SAMBO Center brings together everything that is required for carrying out competitions and training sessions, as well as for staging official events.

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov invited sambists from around the world to use the new facility in Moscow in an exclusive column for insidethegames ©FIAS
FIAS President Vasily Shestakov invited sambists from around the world to use the new facility in Moscow in an exclusive column for insidethegames ©FIAS

"I am happy to invite SAMBO athletes from every corner of the globe to the International SAMBO Center.

"I am confident that its opening will provide further impetus to the global expansion of our sport and bring SAMBO closer to its inclusion into the Olympic Games programme."

The sport of SAMBO is preparing to celebrate its 85th year in 2023, and it is set to be included as part of two multi-sport events – the World Martial Arts Games, due to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the Asian Martial Arts and Indoor Games, scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand.

You can read President’s Shestakov guest blog in full here