The event in Villavicencio was held for coaches seeking an international license and was attended by 22 trainers from eight countries - Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, Uruguay, Guatemala, the United States, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

The seminar was held following the Pan American Championships, which took place from July 16 to 18.

FIAS sports director Dmitry Maksimov oversaw the seminar, which covered theoretical coaching, anti-doping, the FIAS database and the classification of sambo techniques.

During the workshop the new anti-doping rules were explained to participants in both English and Spanish.

After presentations, the rest of the seminar centred on coaches practicing techniques on the mats.

The following day an exam was held - consisting of coaches demonstrating 15 sambo techniques and a theory test.

"The format of the seminar provides for a rather tough work regime, but in two days all aspects were considered and the subtleties in sambo technique and terminology were analysed in detail," said Mikhail Kozitsky, chairman of the FIAS Certification Commission. 

"I think we can confidently expect good results from the participants. 

"I believe that this area should be developed most actively, because an increase in the number of qualified coaching staff will have a positive effect on work within the continental federation and on the development of sambo in general."

The seminar was held in the same week that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted full recognition of the FIAS at its Session in Tokyo.

FIAS was one of six International Federations granted full recognition by the IOC Session, along with World Lacrosse, the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations, the International Federation of Muaythai Associations, the International Cheer Union and International Federation Icestocksport.