The two parties will jointly organise and run a variety of events directed at the development and popularisation of sambo, and attracting public attention to the problem of preserving and increasing the Amur tiger population.

Sambo was officially recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia for the first time in January 2014, before making its debut at the Asian Beach Games in Phuket 10 months later. 

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov said in September the sport could be recognised by the IOC as soon as this year, despite initially planning on entering the Olympic programme in 2024. 

"Sambo is a sport that teaches the ability to stand up for themselves and protect their loved ones,” said Shestakov. 

“Social responsibility is an important direction of development of modern sambo, social projects are a priority in the strategy of FIAS.

“That is why the Executive Committee of the International Sambo Federation which met in late March in Moscow unanimously supported the initiative of the guardianship of the tiger and approved the image of this tiger as the official mascot of the federation.

"It will not only be a symbol of good luck for the whole world of sambo but will also serve as an additional impetus to the development of programmes to protect animals and the environment.”

The Amur tiger population has decreased significantly during the 20th century, with the last census, conducted in 2005, claiming that no more than 500 remain in the wild.

The largest tiger subspecies in the world, which has a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, has become rare primarily due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting.

Virtually the entire population lives in Russia, although it is sometimes found in China, mainly along the Russian border.

“The Amur tiger Centre aims to draw public attention to the problem of the preservation of the Amur tiger,” said general director Andrey Smirnov. 

“Thanks to the cooperation with the International Sambo Federation the entire world will learn about this endangered predator.

“We hope that the tiger mascot will agree with professional and novice athletes and fans of sambo in the world, and thereby allow us to draw attention to the problems of preservation of this animal.

“Only by combining our efforts we can achieve some results and save the Amur tiger for future generations."

Shestakov said he hopes that other sports federations around the world will support FIAS and take care of other endangered animals.

“We have managed to identify a number of very important and useful initiatives to attract public attention to the problem of the disappearance of the Amur tiger population with our colleagues from the Centre,” he added.

“In addition to sports and demonstration activities, we are also planning to launch a project for the training of law enforcement agents according to a special sambo programme.”


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