FIAS to consider recognition of SAMBO Europe led by David Amaryan

The Executive Committee of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) has supported placing the issue of recognizing SAMBO Europe, headed by Armenian businessman and investor David Amaryan, on the agenda of the upcoming Congress.

The decision was made at a meeting of the FIAS Executive Committee held on October 2 in Thessaloniki. The status of the new European organization will now be considered by the highest governing body of the International Sambo Federation — the FIAS Congress.

It has been proposed that the agenda include the issue of recognizing the SAMBO Europe International Sports Federation as the only continental sambo federation in Europe officially recognized by FIAS.

Therefore, no final decision has yet been made, and the outcome will depend on a vote at the Congress.

According to official FIAS data, 21 national federations that are members of the International Sambo Federation have already joined SAMBO Europe. On the day of the Executive Committee meeting, representatives of the European federations involved in establishing the new structure also held a meeting in Thessaloniki under the leadership of David Amaryan.

The parties discussed the further development of sambo across Europe, the expansion of the international competition calendar, stronger cooperation between national federations and sports organizations, as well as efforts to promote sambo for inclusion in the programs of Europe’s major multi-sport events.

If approved by the Congress, SAMBO Europe will receive official status as FIAS’s continental structure in Europe.

FIAS approves new anti-doping rules

At the same meeting, the Executive Committee ratified the FIAS Anti-Doping Rules for 2027, prepared in line with the new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. The rules will come into effect on January 1, 2027.

One of the main changes will be mandatory anti-doping education for athletes. In order to obtain a license to participate in international competitions, athletes will be required to complete the relevant educational course and provide FIAS with a certificate confirming its completion.

FIAS has already begun implementing the new procedure, which will become mandatory from 2027.