On April 28th, 2008 in Tbilisi (Georgia) at the Congress Hall of Marriott Hotel were gathered Presidents and representatives of National Sambo Federations of Europe to sum up the work of 4 years period and to elect the leading bodies of the European Sambo Federation.
Mr. Sergey Eliseev, President of the European Sambo Federation took the floor before the participants of the Congress. He noted, in particular, positive process in case of further development of sambo, organizing and holding of sport events in the European continent and creation of new National Sambo Federations.
As a recognition of the active work of the President and the majority of the Executive Committee members, they were reelected to the new leading bodies of the European Federation. Mr. Sergey Eliseev (Russia) was unanimously elected President of the European Sambo Federation for the next 4 years period. Mr. Rumen Stoilov also kept the post of the Secretary General of the Federation. Mr. Merabi Iliadis (Greece) was elected First Vice-President. Mr. Pavel Gorodnov (Czech Republic) and Mr. Vladimir Japrintsev (Belarus) took the position of Vice-President.
The Executive Committee members also became: Mr. Dzheykhun Mamedov (Azerbaijan) Mr. Dmitri Samoshuk (Estonia) Mr. Omar Iadze (Georgia) Mr. Vladimir Pogodin (Russia) Mr. Roberto Ferraris (Italy) Mr. Fernando Compte (Spain) Mr. Eduardas Rudas (Lithuania) Mr. Jaroslav Bojarsky (Poland) Mr. Andrey Birukov was elected chairman of the Control-auditing Commission. At the Comgress the National Sambo Federations of Cyprus, Spain and Montenegro were affiliated to the European Sambo Federation. After the long term debates it was decided that the Sambo of France would be represented by the National Sambo Committee (President Mr. Jean-Claude Cerutti). This Committee is a member of the French Wrestling Federation and recognized by the Ministry of Sports of this country.
By the proposal of Mr. Sergey Eliseev, ESF President, the Congress adopted the Program of further development of Sambo in Europe, more active integration of Sambo into international sport and Olympic movement and creation for these purposes corresponding commissions. To the opinion of the participants of the Congress, it was held on constructive and practical level, demonstrated the unity of all National Sambo Federations of Europe on principle issues.
Mr. David Rudman, President of International Sambo Federation (FIAS) took part in the working sessions of the Congress.