Summing up the FIAS participation

2010 SportAccord International Convention was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April, 25-30. FIAS delegation, under the direction of the President Vasiliy Shestakov took part in this Forum.

SportAccord unites now 87 international sports federations and cooperates with 17 major international sports organizations, including the International Paralympic Committee, the International World Games Association, the International University Sports Federation, the International Military Sports Council, the International Sports Press Association.

As result of concerted and efficient effort of the FIAS delegation, several operational meetings with the Presidents of International Federations were held. New trends in the development of sports federations were discussed, as well as the issues of the future of SAMBO.

The FIAS delegation took part in all the events of the SportAccord Convention.

Within the framework of its everyday work, the FIAS delegation was a participant in a session with SportAccord management headed by Hein Verbruggen, the Vice-Mayor of Beijing Liu Jingmin as well as with representatives of International Federations which will take part in the First World Combat Games this August in Beijing. Reports of SportAccord and Beijing were delivered, the further steps being mapped out to get ready for this unique event.

On the behalf of FIAS, Vasiliy Shestakov signed the agreement between SportAccord and 13 International Federations to cooperate in organization of the First World Combat Games in Beijing.

On the Convention's closing date the FIAS delegation took part in the SportAccord General Assembly. It was carried unanimously that AGFIS should be given a new name- SportAccord - as well as the organization's headquarters should be taken to Lausanne.

Four new sports federations joined SportAccord. The financial account-2009 of SportAccord was heard. SportAccord has submitted the programmes which are to follow: the World Combat Games, the World Beach Games, SportHub Internet Project, etc. The International World Games Association, the International University Sports Federation, presented their plans as well.

Participating in the SportAccord's events the President of FIAS Vasiliy Shestakov had a meeting with the President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge. Without any exaggeration one can say that this meeting became very important for the global development of SAMBO. Vasiliy Shestakov expressed his thanks to Jacques Rogge for his contribution to the development and consolidation of the Olympic family. The further stages of cooperation between IOC and FIAS were outlined. The presidents exchanged souvenirs.

Vasiliy Shestakov also met with the President of the International Paralympic Committee Philip Craven. Perspectives of possible use of SAMBO in the training of participants in the Paralympic movement were discussed as well as new stages of development in this significant direction of modern sports.

Vasiliy Shestakov is the President of the Russian Association of Sports Facilities and due to this is well acquainted with the problems of construction of sports facilities for Paralympic competitions, when creation of "no barrier environment" is very important. Philip Craven agreed to patronize the Congress "Sports. Man. Health", the President of which is Vasiliy Shestakov, and expressed a wish to visit this Congress. This biennial Congress is held in Russia and is visited by scientists, medical doctors and public figures from many countries of the world. It is patronized by IOC and the Council of Europe.

Vasiliy Shestakov and the President of SportAccord Hein Verbruggen discussed perspectives of SAMBO in the modern international sports movement. It was preliminarily agreed to hold the Convention-2013 of SportAccord in Russia (Sochi).

President FIAS Vasiliy Shestakov and President of the World Anti-Doping Agency John Fahey discussed the ways to improve the quality of interaction between three subjects of the sports movement an International Federation, WADA and a sportsman. Organic interaction between them was discussed. Both leaders expressed the wish to support each other and to cooperate in these activities.

Vasiliy Shestakov Wilfried Lemke, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace discussed issues of cooperation of UN and FIAS, opportunities to develop SAMBO in African countries. Vasiliy Shestakov invited Wilfried Lemke to visit the SAMBO World Championship-2010 in Uzbekistan and also agreed to participate in the Congress "Sports. Man. Health".

Vasiliy Shestakov also discussed with the President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) George Killian the conditions and opportunities for FIAS to join FISU, and the preparatory work for Universiade 2013 in Kazan. Tremendous significance of University sports in the modern sports movement was emphasized.

The Convention and all the meetings held by FIAS during this sports forum were successful. Productive relations were established with Presidents of International Federations and the management of major sports organizations. There is a serious exam ahead - participation in the First World Combat Games in Beijing, as well as extensive work to develop SAMBO and to promote the importance of FIAS in the international sports movement.