S T A T U T E

Table of contents	Pages
I. AIMS AND COMPOSITION OF THE FEDERATION
1. Name	3
2. Aims	3
3. Headquarters, Official languages, Flag and Emblem	4
4. Composition. Continental Federations	4
5. Affiliation	5
6. Finances	6
7. Loss if FIAS membership	6
8. Participation in competitions	6
9. Doping	6
II. THE CONGRESS
10. Composition	7
11. Voting	7
12. Operation	7
13. Validity of decisions	8
14. Rights and Role of the Congress	8
15. Extraordinary Congress	9
III. ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
16. Composition of the Executive Board	9
17. Eligibility	9
18. Duration of mandate	9
19. Structure, Powers and Operation	10
20. The President, his election and his role	10
21. The General Secretary	11
22. The Treasurer	12
23. The Commissions	12
IV. REGULATIONS ON INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
24. General principles. Representation	13
25. International events	13
V. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
26. Recourse	14
27. Property and Remuneration	14
28. Internal regulations	14
29. Statutory principle	14
30. Dissolution of FIAS	14

1. NAME

2. AIMS

2.1 Promote the development of the sport of SAMBO around the world. To this end, FIAS must contact all official organizations and individuals susceptible to contribute to this effort, at the technical as well as at the administrative and financial levels.

2.2 Stimulate relations and bonds of friendship and support the peaceful coexistence between the National Federations and its members, while respecting the interests of all.

2.3 Establish and promote the international SAMBO regulations adopted by FIAS.

2.4 Regulate SAMBO, as practiced by all its affiliated federations or associations, and ensure that SAMBO regulations are adhered to at World championships, World Cups, Continental competitions and International events which, without exception, are held under its control.

2.5 Select, train, improve and oversee the activities of judges and referees, as well as that of technical and administrative personnel.

2.6 Represent SAMBO and defend its interests at the levels of the National Olympic Committees, the International Olympic Committee and the other international sports organizations.

2.7 Take an impartial decision in case of dispute or differences of opinion occurring between affiliated nations during the practice of SAMBO.

2.8 Prohibit itself from taking part, and declare itself opposed to any debate or any political, racial or religious discrimination.

2.9 Help National SAMBO Federations to be recognized by their National Olympic Committees and seek the recognition of FIAS by the International Olympic Committee.

3. HEADQUARTERS, OFFICIAL LANGUAGES, FLAG AND EMBLEM

The administrative headquarters may be transferred to another city or another country, if circumstances warrant it, upon decision by the Executive Board, ratified by the Congress.

3.2 Any official FIAS document bearing the signature of the President or that of the General Secretary must be considered as a fully legal document.

3.3 The official languages of FIAS are English, Russian and French. In the event of a disagreement arising from the interpretation of the statutes, rules or regulations, the Russian text shall prevail.

3.4 The FIAS Flag represents logo FIAS at the centre of a rectangular on a light-blue background with inscriptions "Международная Любительская Федерация САМБО" above the logo and "Federation International Amateur SAMBO" under the logo.

3.5 The FIAS emblem, reproduced on the yellow background of the flag, shows two SAMBO athletes in action, the two parts of the globe and the acronym “FIAS”, encircled by a crown of laurels.

4. COMPOSITION – CONTINENTAL FEDERATIONS

4.2 Each country shall be represented by only one National Federation. The latter shall be recognized by its National Olympic Committee or its highest National sports authority.

4.3 FIAS may have Honorary members.

The title of “Honorary Member” may be given by the FIAS Congress upon proposal by the Executive Board or a National Federation to any person, organization or group having rendered special services to the sport of SAMBO and to FIAS, according to the FIAS Regulations concerning the honorary status.

4.4 Continental Federations (CF) are composed of National Federations (NF) affiliated with FIAS and belonging to the continent, as determined by the international geographic boundaries. National Federations are subject to the principles established by the Continental Federations to which they belong.

Continental Federations shall operate under their own Statutes, governed by its Continental management, which do not contradict FIAS Statutes and Regulations.

Continental Federations possess their own structures and management body responsible for the development and the practice of SAMBO on their continent.

4.5 The Presidents of Continental Federations shall be members of the Executive Board of FIAS as Vice-Presidents.

4.6 Continental Federations determine their own Championships, World Cups and sites of International competitions. They organize their activities in accordance with those of FIAS.

4.7 FIAS may accept the associative members - organizations or private persons, which render the practical help for SAMBO development.
The associative members have the right of a deliberative vote and can be elected by the FIAS Congress upon the recommendation of the respective National SAMBO Federation, or FIAS Executive Committee.

5. AFFILIATION

- a written request is submitted, duly signed by its President and its General Secretary
- it possesses an official attestation issued by the National Olympic Committee or the highest Sports authority of its country
- the FIAS Affiliation form is duly completed
- it states, in writing, its intention to abide by the FIAS Statutes and Regulations
- it agrees to pay the dues, as determined by the FIAS financial regulations
- it provides a written agreement to pay the FIAS fees, as per the FIAS regulations
- it has the approval of its Continental Federation

5.2 The resulting file will be examined by the Executive Board which will then present it to the FIAS Congress, the only body empowered to grant membership.

However, if several federations in the same country practice SAMBO, as governed by FIAS, only one may become member of FIAS.

5.3 In the event that the federation wishing to become a member of FIAS is not recognized by the National Olympic Committee or the highest Sports authority of its country, the Executive Board of FIAS reserves the right to decide and judge the case on an individual basis.

5.4 Full members of FIAS have the right to attend and speak at all Congress meetings. They may nominate their candidates for the positions of Officers, and vote on all questions presented.

5.5 National Federations’ Presidents represent the interests of their respective countries at FIAS.

5.6 If a question concerning a particular National Federation is being evaluated, its national representative does not have the right to participate at the debate.

6. FINANCES

1. FIAS membership entry fee
2. annual FIAS membership fee
3. various benefits fees
4. advertising rights for FIAS attribute items usage
5. permits for organizing championships, international tournaments
6. various license fees
7. events participation registration fee
8. penalties
9. investments, other resources or stocks profit
10. gifts and bequests

Except in case of flagrant error, the various dues, taxes, fees, fines and charges become the property of FIAS and shall not be reimbursed under any circumstances.

7. LOSS OF FIAS MEMBERSHIP

- upon resignation
- upon cessation of SAMBO activity
- upon expulsion by the Executive Board, according to the conditions determined by the disciplinary regulations for:

- contravening regulations concerning payment of FIAS dues and cost of membership

- absence of activity related to the development of SAMBO

- violation of the Statutes and Regulations

- refusal to comply with the FIAS decisions

7.2 The decision to withdraw the membership of a federation may only be taken by the Congress, with a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes.

8. PARTICIPATION TO COMPETITIONS

9. DOPING

9.2 At events taking place under the jurisdiction of FIAS participants, officers and officials shall not oppose Doping control testing.

9.3 The decision, concerning sanctions in relation to athletes, officials, federations, violated the Anti-doping rules shall be taken due to the World Anti-doping Code regulations and WADA decisions.

10. COMPOSITION

Affiliated countries may send to the Congress a maximum of three representatives, each possessing a mandate but only one having the right to vote.

11. VOTING

Any affiliated country unable to participate at the Congress shall have the right to be represented by delegating its vote to a member of the Executive Board or to another federation participating at the Congress.

12. OPERATION

12.2 Before the opening of the Congress country representatives shall present their credentials, duly signed and bearing the official seal of their federation, to the appropriate authorities.

12.3 The Congress deliberates on all questions included in the agenda, as confirmed by the Executive Board and sent to all federations one month ahead. During the Congress, if requested by more than half of the representatives from affiliated countries, additional questions may be included in the agenda.

12.4 Items which affiliated countries wish to have included in the agenda must reach the Executive Board two months before the date of the Congress.

12.5 Urgent questions proposed by the Executive Board and requiring consideration by National Federations shall be sent to them one month before the date of the Congress.

12.6 The Minutes of the session of the Congress, signed by the General Secretary and the President, shall be sent to the affiliated countries within two months, and submitted for approval at the next Congress.

13. VALIDITY OF DECISIONS

For personal matters, voting shall be cast by secret ballot.

13.2 In case of equal number of votes by secret ballot, the secret ballot shall be considered invalid.

14. RIGHTS AND ROLE OF THE CONGRESS

The Congress is vested with the following powers:

-- Elect the President, the members of the Executive Board and those of the Control and Revision Commission and revoke their status at any time
-- Approve the reports presented by the President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Control and Revision Commission, and others
-- Approve requests for affiliation and terminate the membership of a FIAS member
-- Ratify internal regulations
-- Examine and approve the decisions made by the Executive Board and the President
-- Resolve all questions and proposals of general interest submitted by National Federations concerning the development of SAMBO, as defined by the present Statutes and by decisions taken at previous proceedings
-- Examine and approve candidates for official FIAS competitions: World Championships, World Cups (countries), World Cups (clubs)
-- Approve amendments to the FIAS Statutes
-- Determine fees and other sources of revenue for FIAS
-- Deliberate and approve the budget
-- Name Honorary members: Honorary member of FIAS, Honorary member of the Executive Board, Honorary Vice-President of FIAS and Honorary President of FIAS
-- Approve the SAMBO regulations
-- Deliberate on all questions submitted by the Executive Board

15. EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS

During such a Congress questions not included in the agenda shall not be examined.

An Extraordinary Congress shall, in all cases, be called in the city proposed by the Executive Board of FIAS.

16. COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

16.2 The Executive Board includes: the President, the General Secretary, the Vice-Presidents and the Treasurer.

16.3 If a member of the Executive Board resigns, he shall not automatically be replaced by a member of the same National Federation.

More than two members of the same nationality shall not be part of the Executive Board.

17. ELIGIBILITY

18. DURATION OF MANDATE

18.2 Any vacancy within the Executive Board, due to resignation, shall be addressed at the next Congress.

18.3 The term of newly elected members shall end on the expiration date of the replaced members’ mandate.

18.4 All members of the Executive Board are re-eligible.

18.5 Any member of the Executive Board who, for no valid reason, fails to attend three consecutive meetings, or leaves a Congress or meeting to show his discontent, shall cease to be a member of the Executive Board and shall be replaced according to Article 18.

19. STRUCTURE, POWERS AND OPERATION

19.2 The Executive Board of FIAS is composed of:

- the FIAS President
- the General Secretary
- the Treasurer
- four Vice-Presidents, of Continental Presidents’ level
- six members

19.3 The Executive Board is endowed with all the powers necessary for the financial and technical administration and for the moral direction of the federation. During the period between the sessions of Congress, the Executive Board manages the activities of FIAS.

19.4 The Executive Board shall meet when called by the President or if requested by one third of its members. In any case, it shall meet at least twice a year.

19.5 For deliberations to be valid, a majority of fifty percent plus one of the members of the Executive Board must be present.

19.6 In case of external circumstances outside its control and caused by an international situation, when difficult if not impossible to apply the Statutes (such as war, epidemic, Governmental decisions or position, etc.) the Executive Board shall nevertheless have the right to exercise the powers at its disposal to see that they are followed. It has nevertheless the right to take an appropriate and motivated decision for the general interest of FIAS, dictated by the situation of the moment, without this decision becoming a precedent.

The Executive Board must inform the following FIAS Congress of the decision it has taken.

19.7 In case of equal number of votes on the Executive Board, the President has the casting vote.

19.8 The Minutes of the meetings shall be taken down by the General Secretary and signed jointly by him and the President.

20. THE PRESIDENT, HIS ELECTION AND HIS ROLE

Under natural circumstances the perennial election shall take place immediately after the presentation of the President’s report on FIAS activities and results for preceding year The candidate to the post of President shall be a well known figure in the SAMBO world, have been President of a National Federation for at least four years or have four year of experience as Vice-President, General Secretary or Commission Chairman. In the absence of such a candidate, the Executive Board decides itself.

The elections shall be valid in case of absolute majority of votes. If no candidate obtains the absolute majority of votes, additional voting shall take place for the two candidates having obtained the greatest number of votes.

The active FIAS President may be re-elected for the next term, but he shall not occupy this position for more than 2 terms consecutively.

20.2 Between the sessions of the Congress and the meetings of the Executive Board, the President is responsible for managing the everyday activities of FIAS. He looks after the expenses of FIAS and hires administrative personnel.

The President’s main activities include representing FIAS at international meetings, attending the International Olympic Committee’s sessions, and taking part in other official meetings.

20.3 The President has the right:

- to propose candidates to the posts of General Secretary, Vice-President and Treasurer
- to set up different commissions or work groups
- to be reimbursed for the cost of representing FIAS and for various expenses related to his travels for FIAS
- to allow the members of the Executive Board and of the various FIAS commissions to request reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their assigned duties.

All expenses incurred must be substantiated.

The administration of FIAS is under the authority of the President.

20.4 If, for whatever reason, the post of President becomes vacant, the General Secretary fulfills his duties. If, for whatever reason, the General Secretary cannot take over, then the Executive Board of FIAS shall elect, by secret ballot, one of the Vice-Presidents as Provisional President, and elect a new President at the next earliest Congress session.

20.5 The FIAS President may combine his FIAS presidency only with one high ranking position at any national or continental SAMBO federation, and no more.

21. THE GENERAL SECRETARY

As part of his responsibilities, the General Secretary shall:

- make sure that the Statutes, Minutes of the Congress, Executive Board decisions and resolutions taken are executed
- see to it that the financial obligations of Continental and National Federations affiliated with FIAS are respected
- along with the President, sign documents of legal responsibility
- ensure that the Calendar of sports events is being followed
- prepare the Minutes of the Executive Board meetings
- make sure that invitations to Congress sessions and Executive Board meetings are sent out in due time
- acknowledge receipt of the requests for affiliation with FIAS
- represent the President in his absence

22. THE TREASURER

He is responsible for:

- preparing the annual budget of FIAS and submitting it for approval to the Executive Board
- presenting the annual financial report to the Congress
- submitting to the Executive Board an account of the financial responsibilities of FIAS members
- investing the financial capital of FIAS

23. THE COMMISSIONS

23.2 Commissions consist of a fixed number of members (which must include a Chairman and a Secretary), depending on their nature and their mission, as defined by in internal regulation determined by the Executive Board and specifying their competence and objectives.

23.3 The Executive Board nominates commission Chairmen

23.4 National Federations propose commission members.

23.5 The Executive Board approves the composition of a commission, as proposed by the commission Chairman.

23.6 The FIAS commissions are as follows:

- Sport Technique commission
- FIAS Statutes commission
- SAMBO development commission
- Referees commission
- Trainers commission
- Commission on sports matters
- Feminine SAMBO commission
- Combat SAMBO commission
- University commission
- Army and Police commission
- Medical commission
- School children commission
- Press commission
- Commerce and Finance Commission
- Disciplinary commission (exclusively composed of members of the Executive Board)
- Control and Revision commission
- Ethics commission
- Mandate commission (confirmed separately before each Congress)

23.7 CONTROL AND REVISION COMMISSION

-- The Control and Revision commission is composed of three FIAS members who may not be part of the governing bodies of FIAS
-- It is responsible for checking whether the FIAS Statutes are adhered to, whether the decisions of the Congress are being followed, and whether, from the financial perspective, the activities of the Executive Board are appropriate
-- The revision shall be done at least one a year and a report presented to the Congress. The conclusions reached by the Control and Revision commission and confirmed by the Congress must be implemented.

24. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. REPRESENTATION

24.2 However, upon specific request, affiliated federations may be authorized by the President or by the Executive Board to attend events organized by a federation that is not yet affiliated with FIAS, if these events contribute to the development of SAMBO in that country, and if it is presumed that this federation is considering becoming a member of FIAS.

24.3 All SAMBO international competitions, World and continental championships, are to be conducted due to FIAS regulations. Regulations may only be changed every four years.

24.4 FIAS designates the representatives authorized to participate at international events. These representatives shall comply with the regulations on international events.

24.5 A participant shall not have the right to be on the team of a country participating at an international event if he is not a citizen of that country.

In exceptional cases, FIAS may give special permission to participate.

24.6 The invitation of an athlete from another country to participate in an event shall always be made through the National Federation of the athlete in question.

24.7 In case of an athlete’s dual citizenship, participation at international competitions shall only be valid on the basis of one nationality, chosen by him.

National Federations are responsible for the participations at their National championships.

25. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

25.2 If, for a valid reason, an event is not mentioned in the Calendar of events, the organizing country must inform FIAS ahead of time. In this case, organizers must communicate the date and place of the event three months ahead to the FIAS Secretariat.

25.3 Results and protocols of international events, signed by the parties in charge, shall be sent to the FIAS Secretariat within two weeks of these events.

25.4 National Federations organizing international events shall be up-to-date in their financial obligations to FIAS and shall not have been subject to disciplinary measures or restrictions.

A fine of 100 US dollars will be applied to National Federations not having paid on time the appropriate competition fee.

26. RECOURSE

27. PROPERTY AND REMUNERATION

27.2 Members of the FIAS Executive Board or Commissions shall not be entitled to remuneration. Exception may only be made by the Congress.

28. INTERNAL REGULATIONS

29. STATUTORY PRINCIPLE

29.2 The Executive Board is authorized to take a decision concerning any situation not covered under these Statutes.

29.3 Continental Federations and National Federations affiliated with FIAS shall not contradict the decisions taken on the basis of these Statutes.

30. DISSOLUTION OF FIAS

30.2 After dissolution, the decision concerning the disposition of the FIAS assets shall be taken at the extraordinary session of the Congress.

The FIAS Statutes Commission