The referee's training format underwent changes this year compared to previous similar events with the first two days being devoted to both FIAS representatives and leaders of the continental referee’s commissions.

After this, the seminar held a two-day training event, with an exam determining who would be awarded certificates for the international category, allowing these referees to be added to the pool that can officiate at Sambo competitions on the 2020 FIAS calendar.

With new rules coming to the sport in 2020, the seminar was devoted to the study of theory behind the changes and refining the referees' skills in practice.

The Sambo Federation of Madrid and Spanish Federation of Olympic Wrestling and Associated Disciplines provided support in organising the event.

"According to the reaction of the participants on the first days, it is clear that we have chosen the right form of communication and we believe that this has a future," said FIAS executive director Sergey Tabakov.

"The first two days of working with managers are dedicated to ensuring that later all the issues that we discuss together, they can implement on their continents."

FIAS sports director Dmitry Maximov added, "This is the first experience of such a holding and now it is difficult to predict if it was successful. 

"It seems to me that this experiment was a success, although it is too early to judge the results. 

"But I see from the reaction of our colleagues that for the most part they like everything. 

"Moreover, they are interested to go ahead and see how it all works. 

"This is the first experience, but the general opinion is to go further in this direction."

The Sambo calendar for 2020 includes the Sambo World Cup in Moscow in Russia from March 20 to 22; with the World Beach Sambo Championships due to take place in Larnaca in Cyprus on April 28 and 29; and the World Sambo Championships taking place in Ashgabat in Turkmenistan from November 6 to 8.