Rustam Minnikhanov: I am sure that Kazan will host the European Sambo Championship properly

On May 13, at the Ak Bars Palace of Single Combats in Kazan, speaking at a ceremony of opening of the European Sambo Championships, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that he is sure that Kazan will host the the Championship properly. 

"Today, the capital of Tatarstan is holding a great holiday, the European Sambo Championship, and it is a great confidence we were given. I am sure that we will host this sports event properly,” Minnikhanov said addressing guests and participants of the championship.

In his turn, President of the International Sambo Federation Vasily Shestakov shared Olympic plans of his favorite sport. According to him, Sambo was born in the late 1930s, and since then the sport is gaining popularity. Now the International Federation includes 85 countries, more than 40 are candidates.

"Today we have made an application to the IOC, and we hope that Sambo will be recognized as the Olympic sport", he said.

President of the European Sambo Federation Sergey Eliseev said that Kazan is hosting the International Sambo Championship for the third time. Before that Kazan had hosted the World Cup among students and competitions of sambo wrestlers at the Universiade. On behalf of the Federation he thanked Minnikhanov for his great contribution to the development of sambo in Europe.

The European Sambo Championship that started today in Kazan gathered about 300 participants from 31 countries.