The message reads, in part:
“This holiday, dedicated to a truly unique martial art that emerged in our country, brings together a tremendous number of people across Russia and is rightly believed to be part of our national legacy. Not only does sambo require excellent physical fitness but it also forges strong will, determination, self-discipline, and respect for your rival. All these qualities are highly relevant in life; they build a strong personality and help overcome challenges.
It is pleasing to see that sambo has been growing as a movement in the past years – its geography is expanding, and the number of dedicated fans of this sport is growing. Russian wrestlers are known for impressive performance at international competitions. I should also note that, thanks to the fruitful work of the Russian National Sambo Federation and the large Sambo for Schools project, youth competitions and tournaments are held in different cities and towns, with substantive awareness initiatives.”