FIAS President visits GB

On Tuesday evening December 6th BSF President Martin Clarke and BSF Vice President Colin Carrott, travelled to the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane London to have a meeting with FIAS President Vasily Shestakov also present was FIAS Vice President Andrey Kliamko, Alexander Kutznetsov and Andrew Moshanov. The President was in town for other business but wanted an appraisal of British Sombo and how FIAS can help.

FIAS has appointed Andrew Moshanov as the FIAS Liaison Officer for Great Britain, British Sombo Federation must have created a good example for FIAS to take such big interest in us. Some of you may not know Andrew Moshanov, he in fact a world renowned Judo Coach and until recently was the Technical Advisor for the British Judo Association and according to my sources made a big impact on the BJA. Yet what is important to us is that Andrew was a successful Sombo Player and produced a couple of World Ladies Champions, he is very well connected in the Sombo World. He will undoubtedly be a great attribute to the BSF.

The meeting covered many aspects the introduction of Sambo.TV on the internet was seen as a massive plus, FIAS are now paying  World Champions Men, Women and Combat Sambo an annual fee for being placed in the World Championships Gold will get 1000$ a month Silver 750$ a month and Bronze 500$ a definite incentive. Discussion also revolved around GB holding a European Championship, Martin said that he had organise one in 1989 in Herne Bay which was a financial disaster. The President said that FIAS would help with the financial aspect which is good but the BSF needs to find a suitable venue and most importantly Volunteers which are prepared to help. FIAS are very excited about the World University and Student Championships being held near Moscow in 2013, Martin promised to promote this by contacting the various Sporting Bodies connected Students.  FIAS also want to get the BSF recognised by the British Olympic Association Martin explained that the BOA will only accept organisations that recognised by UKSport and are an Olympic Sport. The BSF is recognised by UKSport but until Sombo is recognised as an Olympic sport they can go no further.

The President asked how the BSF saw the future Martin answered

1)      Massive adverting campaign in the Martial Arts Media, sadly to say Martial Arts Magazine very rarely print reports unless in advertisement goes in at the same time

2)      Coaches to go the length and breadth of the British Isles coaching and introducing Sombo to other styles of Combat. This we have already started with John Clarke and Colin Carrott. If we could get funding the Coaches could get paid and the Courses would be free

3)       A couple of months after coaching a club we could return and run a small competition in there club premises. These would be a feed for bigger tournaments

4)      BSF are encouraging its members clubs to run more of these smaller events as the Financial situation  in GB is hitting people badly

5)      Martin has personally purchased £10,000 worth of Sombo Jackets and Boots to keep the sport going as it has always been difficult getting equipment

Mr Shestakov said that FIAS may help with some Junior Jackets; he also said he may be able to help with Wrestling Mats and getting top quality Coaches to come to GB. Martin thanked him for this and said the jackets would be well received but sending a Coach would only be useful for the more experienced Somboist, they would be wasted on beginners.

The meeting finished with Andrew Moshanov agreeing to organise a business plan and FIAS would keep in regular touch with the BSF. FIAS President thanked Martin and Colin attending and congratulated them on their 25^th year