RUSSIA WILL HELP THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAMBO IN INDIA

The head of the MMA Federation of India stated his desire to promote sambo in the country with Russia's help.

Mayur Bansode, President of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation (MMA) of India, is seeking Russia's assistance in promoting and disseminating sambo in the South Asian republic. He stated this in an interview with a TASS correspondent on Thursday.

Martial arts sports, he claims, have always been popular in India. "Sambo is already popular in our country, but Russia has the potential to make it even more so. I requested that his Excellency Russian Ambassador [in India] Denis Alipov assist us in our plans to establish an active official organization here, a sambo federation, to promote this type of fighting in our country. We would like to contact the Russian Sambo Federation. After all, sambo made an appearance in your country "Mayur Bansode state

"We need support from Russian sambo athletes as far as teaching sambo rules to athletes. Indian athletes know how to wrestle, but we need to know the rules of sambo. We will need help in having your leading athletes come from Russia to India and help us set up sambo training centers, teach our athletes sambo. Of course, we will also need help in holding the first championships," he said.

Plans for the future Sambo Federation of India

Mayur Bansode made the point that the Indian government funds the sport's advancement and supports it. "However, the crucial point is that this or that sport needs to be formalized and regulated. We intend to establish a distinct sambo federation in India as a result. We intend to incorporate it as a nonprofit, "said he.

According to Mayur Bansode, the group must satisfy all requirements for sports federations before submitting an application for a government grant. "Sambo rules, athlete safety requirements, and anti-doping rules will need to be submitted for the activity. Additionally, three consecutive years of national sambo championships must be held "The Indian MMA Federation's president gave an explanation. He said that at this point, Russian athletes' assistance will be crucial.

Sambo to every Indian village

Mayur Bansode told us that every state in India has a different kind of wrestling. "Sambo is similar to wrestling, it would be very easy to adapt in India," he said.

"Our plan is to come to the villages. Big cities already have gyms that teach martial arts. But the real wrestlers live in the villages. If we introduce sambo to Indian villages, young people will get involved in the sport. They need to be guided, explained how to build a career in the sport," said Bansode.

According to him, sambo classes will be available to families of all incomes.

Introduction of sambo classes in schools

In addition, Mayur Bansode plans to introduce sambo classes in Indian schools. "Sambo is very useful for children and young people. It teaches self-defense. We have a proposal for schools. We can make it a type of physical activity in schools. But for that we need to get approval from the government first," said the head of the MMA Federation of India.

Mayur Bansode noted that for now, karate is taught in Indian schools, which is a compulsory discipline. "We can approach the government in the future to have sambo introduced in schools as well. It may not become as popular as cricket. But now is the time that sambo will be in demand. Everyone should know how to defend themselves," says the head of the MMA Federation of India.

Khabib Nurmagomedov popular person in India

The growth of sambo in India, according to Mayur Bansode, will be a further means of enhancing Russian-Indian relations. "Your president is very active. You may already know that I support Putin. He does judo, after all! I want to meet him because I have a T-shirt with his image on it. I enjoy his gait and the way he moves. I've seen him instruct children in judo "said the president of the Indian MMA Federation.

According to the MMA president, Russian wrestlers are very well-liked in India. "In our nation, everyone is familiar with Fedor Emelianenko and Khabib Nurmagomedov. You should know that my students are fans of Khabib and that they own hats similar to his. If he or Emelianenko visits, it will significantly advance the growth of martial arts in India, "Mayur Bansode said.

He said that the Indian MMA community has already supported his plans to develop sambo in the country. "When there is support from the government of India, from Russia, we will be able to spread sambo all over India, teach it to children and enthuse the youth. The homeland of sambo is Russia, we need your knowledge and your experience," stressed the president of MMA India.

On the background of such news, many of the bookmakers, for example 1 Win India began to add bets on Sambo.