Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent hosted the World Sambo Championships earlier this month ©FIAS

Officials from Sambo Ireland have met with the country's National Olympic Committee (NOC) as they seek to gain recognition.

The plan to develop sambo in Ireland and the potential for Sambo Ireland to become registered as an Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) member were discussed at the meeting, according to the European Sambo Federation (ESF).

Sambo Ireland President Valery Vaniukevich and secretary Sergei Varonik represented the organisation. 

Brendan Dowling, President of the Irish Martial Arts Commission, joined them to discuss the sport with OFI chief executive Peter Sherrard.

Hope was expressed after the discussion that Sambo Ireland could gain OFI recognition in the middle of 2022.

Sambo Ireland is hopeful of gaining NOC recognition ©Getty Images
Sambo Ireland is hopeful of gaining NOC recognition ©Getty Images

The ESF earlier this year formed a working group to help National Federations gain NOC recognition. 

It is chaired by ESF secretary general Roberto Ferraris.

The move followed the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) being fully recognised by the International Olympic Committee at its Session in Tokyo in July, a decision which could pave the way to the sport one day being on the Olympic programme.

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov is striving for inclusion as soon as Los Angeles 2028.