CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (June 14) – United World Wrestling launched their first-ever “Observers Program” last week in Los Angeles during the 2016 Freestyle World Cup. USA Wrestling and the World Academy of Sports helped support the inaugural program.

More than a dozen representatives of national federations and potential bid cities attended the program, an ongoing workshop aimed at guiding organizing committees through their preparation and delivery of United World Wrestling championships.

The program was mandatory for national federations already slated to host events in 2016 and 2017 and covered a wide array of event related needs including event planning, management and legacy. The workshop also touched on increasing fan engagement and services, communication activities, marketing and media services. 

The need for worldwide standards at wrestling’s 50 branded events each year has grown as the sport has enjoyed a boom in online viewership and increased attendance. The program will help improve conditions for athletes, coaches and fans by providing local organizers with easy-to-follow guidelines and accessible portals for all their resource needs.

“We’ve made incredible improvements across all divisions, but the Observers Program could become our most important,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “This is a commitment to providing our national federations with the resources and insight necessary to create improved conditions for our wrestlers and their fans.