A press conference dedicated to the upcoming World Championships and the World Youth and Junior SAMBO Championships was held in the city of Novi Sad. The event was attended by Vice-President of FIAS, Head of the European SAMBO Federation Sergei Eliseev, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the World SAMBO Championships, Minister of Sports of Novi Sad Ognen Tsvetychanin, member of the Executive Committee of the European SAMBO Federation Patrick Drid, member of the FIAS Executive Committee, President of the SAMBO Federation of Serbia Tatyana Trivich, director of the “SPENS” sports arena Dragan Milic, as well as the titled Serbian sambist, winner of the 1st European Games Ivana Jandric.
Ognen Cvetychanin began the conversation with journalists, telling about the rich experience of the city of Novi Sad in organizing and conducting SAMBO competitions of the highest level. The Minister of Sports noted that the city provides great assistance to the SAMBO Federation of Serbia, as well as to the SAMBO sports clubs in Novi Sad. “It’s good that SAMBO has received recognition from the International Olympic Committee. This will contribute to the provision of even greater assistance to this sport from the Government of the Republic in the future,” Ognen Tsvetychanin is sure.
Following the head of the organizing committee, Sergei Eliseev took the floor. He drew the attention of journalists to the difficult conditions in which the entire world sports found themselves in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the need to adapt to the current situation. The head of the European SAMBO Federation also expressed gratitude on behalf of the FIAS President Vasily Shestakov to the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the administration of the city of Novi Sad, the Serbian SAMBO Federation and everyone involved in the preparation of such an important sporting event. “Now athletes from more than 30 countries have arrived in Serbia to test their strength, to compete for medals. This is an important step for the development of the entire world SAMBO. Separately, I would like to thank the general partner of the World Championships and the World Youth and Junior SAMBO Championships — Rosneft oil company for the help provided in such a difficult time,” Sergei Eliseev said.
Patrick Dried shared his opinion that currently, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the whole world is at a fork in the road, where there are only two options for the development of events: a complete rejection of sports, or adaptation to what is happening and creating conditions for safe competition.
Tatiana Trivich thanked the administration of the city of Novi Sad and separately the Ministry of Sports for their help in organizing the competition.
The director of the sports complex “SPENS” Dragan Milic told reporters that at present all conditions have been created in the arena for holding competitions in a safe environment. He noted that the hall will be closed to outsiders, and the disinfection of the premises will be carried out regularly in accordance with sanitary standards.
In conclusion, the winner of the 1st European Games Ivana Jandric shared her expectations before the upcoming competitions. “I am proud to have the opportunity to represent my country at the World Championships in my hometown. I understand that the health of the athletes is the most important thing for the Organizing Committee. Although I am a little upset that due to the epidemiological situation in the world, our competitions will be held without spectators, and my family and close friends will not be able to come and support us live. At the world championships, our country will be represented by 40 athletes, most of whom are in the youth team. Therefore, we, being more experienced athletes, will mentor them on their way to the heights,” said Ivana Jandric.
Let us remind you that the World Sambo Championships (Youth and Juniors, M&W, Combat SAMBO) will be held in Serbia (Novi Sad) from 5 to 8 November.