BRITISH SOMBO FEDERATION
Established since 1986

The British Sombo Federation is recognised by UK Sport as the Governing body for Sombo (Sambo/Cambo) in the United Kingdom.  This has been achieved by the hard work and persistence of  the Ist Chairman Martin Clarke and the 1st  Executive Committee, Secretary Brenda Jones (deceased February 2001), Treasurer Alan Kontozi, EC members Dave Boulding and Valerie Clarke. Most importantly it has been the realisation of a dream for Martin Clarke. Martin came across Sombo Wrestling in the mid 70's where it came under the auspices of the British Amateur Wrestling Association and was predominantly practised in the North of England only. Sombo Wrestling being a Jacket Wrestling suited Martin who was already a Top class Judo player. He left the Sombo Wrestling scene to concentrate on trying make the Moscow Olympics.

In 1983 Martin returned to Sombo Wrestling to try and make the GB Team for the World Games to be held in London 1985. He was informed by the British Amateur Wrestling Association that they no longer had a Sombo Wrestling section and if he wished he could select a team. In a two year period Martin had to produce competitors, referees and officials all of this he done by himself. In the 1985 World Games Great Britain won 4 Bronze medals, 1 Silver medal, 1 Gold medal, 2 Referees qualified as level 3 Internationals (one of these Brenda Jones has gone on to become the first ever Women Exceptional). Coach/Trainer/Senior Referee and general dogs body was Martin Clarke who also as a competitor won a silver in the Heavyweight class.

In 1985 a new International Sombo Federation was formed (F.I.A.S.) the British Amateur Wrestling Association under the guidance of Burt Jacobs gave Martin permission to form a separate Sombo organisation. In 1986 the British Sombo Federation was constituted.

A lot of thought was put in by Martin when he introduced the constitution to the meeting, two main points had to be put over:

1) The constitution must not be restrictive. Martin had seen in the Martial Arts and Judo world what could happen if people were not free to choose. The word Federation was chosen very carefully.
2) The word Sombo would be used as opposed to Sombo Wrestling, Sombo like Judo has a self defence aspect to it. In Sombo Wrestling the rules are built round this concept.

The Constitution was excepted it has had a few changes to meet Sports Council criteria not least the DOPING SECTION.

Since the first meeting Martin with the support of just a few helpers has sent teams to every World and European Championships. He has organised the 1992 World Championships Herne Bay Kent and the 1989 European Championships Herne Bay Kent. He was a member of the FIAS Council.

This has all been done with out any government funding although on many occasions Martin has had to foot the bill. With Sports Council recognition many doors will open. The BSF will able to strive for its own Centre of Excellence, it will be able to strive for a National Coach who can travel through out Great Britain taking Sombo to the people, it will strive to get funding for its International athletes, it will strive to get more Internationals held in Great Britain.