Ravi Kapoor – Technical Director of the International Kurash Association
The official inclusion of Kurash in the CISM calendar – the International Military Sports Council – is big news for the global Kurash community. It is difficult to describe this event in words. The inclusion of Kurash in the list of official CISM sports is not something that happened in a day or a week. It is the result of a huge amount of work, many years of effort, tireless research, and collective efforts.
I am proud to have been part of this process. When preparing the presentation for my new project at CISM, several technical and organizational difficulties appeared. We discussed everything, including how to prepare and what to focus on. However, without the support of the IKA leadership, this would not have been possible.
First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the President of the International Kurash Association, Mr. Haider Farman. He was constantly involved in negotiations with CISM and personally oversaw the introduction of Kurash in military sports arenas. For him, this is not only a matter of sport, but also a matter of cultural heritage and national pride.
Our Vice President, Ziyoviddin Khodjiniyazov, has always supported me morally and financially. And, of course, the advice, trust, and constant help of my mentor, IKA General Secretary Reza Nassiri, have been a great foundation for me. Without these people, this result would not have been possible.
The presentation of Kurash at the CISM General Assembly in Colombo was so impressive that the defense ministers and heads of delegations from many countries showed great interest in Kurash. They emphasized that Kurash is very useful for military training. They particularly noted that it is a sport that strengthens not only physical but also mental readiness.
I proudly told them that Kurash has a 3,500-year history, is a modern sport that is rapidly developing today, and the great leader Amir Temur also trained his commanders and soldiers through Kurash.
Our conversation with CISM President Mr. Nilton Gomes Rolim was unforgettable for me. I presented him with a national uniform of Kurash — a Yakhtak and a belt. He accepted them very sincerely and emphasized that the inclusion of Kurash in the CISM family is truly a historic event. He also made several practical suggestions for taking Kurash to a higher level in the future.
Now, the most important stage has begun for us. The first Kurash competition in the official CISM sports calendar — the Kurash Challenge Cup — will be held in Uzbekistan on September 5-6, 2026. September 6 coincides with World Kurash Day. This competition will become a symbol not only of sport, but also of peace, culture, and cooperation.
I believe that this historic step will further popularize Kurash on a global scale. And this victory belongs to the whole Kurash family!
