Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The corresponding decision was made at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Sambo Federation, held in Moscow on 24 March. The main international start of the year of sambists will be held in the capital of Uzbekistan from 12 to 14 November.

Previously, Moscow was listed as the venue for the World Championship in the FIAS calendar. However, the December CAS verdict banned Russia from claiming to host the World Championships and the Olympic Games in the country for two years. In this regard, the International Sambo Federation, together with the All-Russian Sambo Federation, decided to transfer the tournament to another country.

“We have received an application to host the World Championship from the SAMBO Association of Uzbekistan. Considering that Tashkent will host the Asian Youth Games in 2025, I consider it expedient to provide Uzbekistan with an opportunity to host this championship,” said FIAS President Vasily Shestakov during the meeting of the Executive Committee.

This proposal was accepted by the members of the executive committee. The President of the Asian Sambo Union Alamzhon Mullaev said that the World SAMBO Championships in Tashkent will become a test tournament before the Asian Youth Games Tashkent-2025.

“In 2025, the Asian Youth Games will be held in Uzbekistan for the first time,” he said. “Therefore, representatives of the Asian Olympic Council will participate in this world championship - the tournament will be a test tournament before the Asian Youth Games.”

The head of the Asian Sambo Union also noted that the organizing committee of the world championship will provide visa support to the participants of the tournament.

“In connection with the difficult situation associated with the pandemic, all kinds of assistance with visas will be provided to countries where there is no Uzbek embassy - they will receive visas right at the airport upon arrival,” Mullaev said. "In those countries where there are embassies, the procedure will be accelerated so that as many countries as possible take part in the World Cup."

Thus, this year Tashkent will host two major tournaments: the Asian Sambo Championship will be held in the capital of Uzbekistan in June, and the World Championship in November.