Earlier this year, Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Alexander Zhukov said sambo is on the right track for one day featuring on the programme of the Olympic Games, but admitted the process will not be a quick one.

Sambo was one of 14 sports to miss out on provisional recognition from the IOC in December as the International Cheer Union and International Federation of Muaythai Amateur were both accepted.

It marked the latest snub for the FIAS which had been hopeful of being put forward for full recognition at the IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro in August, only to be overlooked along with several other Federations.

Speaking to insidethegames here at the European Sambo Championships in Belarus’ capital, Shestakov implied it is a question of when not if the FIAS will get over the line.

"Of course, as the IOC is the highest sports authority in the world, we’re looking forward to getting recognised by them," he said.

"What’s important to mention is that this recognition is not that crucial for Russia, but especially for the other countries because there is European, African and Pan-American countries who are seeking Governmental support and funding.

"For them, it’s the most important and crucial.

"The Presidents of different National Federations have approached me saying 'what’s the news because if we get recognised, we will have the support of our local authorities'.

"That’s when even faster development will become evident in these countries."

Earlier this month, Seychelles hosted the African Sambo Championships as the FIAS experimented with holding contests in seven weight categories as oppose to the traditional nine.

Sergey Eliseev, a vice-president of FIAS, described it as a "forced reform" as part of sambo's bid for IOC recognition. 

"The IOC recommended finding a new form and we are searching for it," the Russian, who is President of the European Sambo Federation, said. 

"We plan to hold such tournaments among students soon. 

"Then, we will analyse the situation, consider all the pros and cons, and make a decision."

Shestakov said African Sambo Confederation President Dalil Skalli, a FIAS vice-president, had stressed during the event that the countries suffering most in terms of a lack of Governmental support are those in his continent and Pan-America.

"We hope that the IOC’s highest authorities understand that we’re speaking about 120 different nations here and each one of them is hoping and wanting to be recognised," he added. 

Among those in attendance here at the European Championships is the IOC’s sports coordination manager Mike Joyce, who has met with Shestakov during his visit.

Shestakov told insidethegames in December that IOC recognition is the only step the FIAS desires for the time being.

Two months earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin, an Honorary President of FIAS, called for "every effort" to be made to have sambo recognised by the IOC while addressing a session of the Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sport.

Russia is very much the dominant force in sambo, which originated in the Soviet Union in the 1920s when soldiers of the then-Soviet Army developed their own hand-to-hand combat technique.