CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, SWITZERLAND (January 21) --Members of the FILA Bureau met with worldwide leaders of the traditional wrestling community to discuss the future of FILA’s support for non-Olympic wrestling styles.

FILA president Nenad Lalovic, FILA vice-president, Mr. Fukuda, FILA secretary general Mr. Dusson and FILA Bureau member Mr. Hamakos gathered with representatives of Pankration, Belt Wrestling and Traditional African Wrestling at the FILA headquarters in Switzerland to show their interest and support of these fundamental disciplines.

President Lalovic reminded everyone of FILA’s priority was to grow the sport of wrestling and serve the athletes of every discipline.

“We want to make sure that all wrestling, styles, Olympic and not, are handled equally,” said Lalovic. “We are vey serious about protecting our traditions.”

The group met for several hours and was able to form critical recommendations, which they agreed would be brought to the FILA Bureau over the coming months.

In addition to its coverage of Olympic styles, the meeting recommended that FILA should publish information concerning Belt Wrestling Championships, Pankration Championships, and Traditional African Wrestling championships on its website. Each participant for these events will also be required to purchase a FILA license for their chosen competition.

The license prices will be the same as for Olympic disciplines, with FILA license holders allowed to participate in all disciplines.

To help organize and administer the variety of needs for each of these non-Olympic disciplines, the group proposed proposed to form the “Department of Non-Olympic Disciplines, “ which would be chaired by Mr. Fukuda (JPN) and consist of three committees: Belt Wrestling, chaired by Mr. Vileita;  Pankration/Beach Wrestling, chaired by Mr. Isaev; and  Traditional African Wrestling, to be chaired by Dr. Sarr.

These three committees will work independently with all final decisions being validated by Mr. Fukuda.

The group was also reminded that a general meeting will have to be organized each year in order to prepare the schedule and discuss current issues. An elective assembly will also be held every four years in the year following the Olympic Games.

Moreover, the members of the meeting have also expressed the wish that FILA should support them in their participation in various games such as Continental Games and the SportAccord Combat Games.

All of the proposed changed and recommendations will need to be confirmed by the FILA Bureau, but the competition schedule and additional information concerning the non-Olympic disciplines will be published on the FILA website over the coming months.