Development

Federacion Española de Lucha Concludes Two-Year UWW Grassroot Programme - Sport for All

By United World Wrestling Press

MADRID, Spain (November 13) -- FELUCHA concluded its UWW Grassroot Programme with El Club de Luchas Olimpicas Power in Torredelcampo, Andalucia.

The club hosted over 150 children from 3 to over 14 years old on a weekly basis. Thanks to the UWW Grassroot programme funding, the club promoted wrestling throughout the entire region to recruit more children and members to the club.


A variety of promotional activities were held between 2018 and 2019 for the children and youth to familiarize and practice various activities, including wrestling. The programme was open to all youth and children, including those from disadvantaged financial incomes. Training sessions were held in a variety of sports and activities, including swimming, hiking and wrestling. 

FEL President Javier Iglesias SERNA said, "The aim of the joint initiative was to create a variety of transversal activities to engage the youth and children of this region. We want the future generation to feel considered and part of the wrestling family."

 Educational sessions were also given to the physical education teachers on techniques, nutrition, psychology while keeping the focus wrestling as a valuable educational tool.


"We are very happy and thrilled with the outcomes of such small initiatives," said UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY. "Federacion Espagnola de Lucha has been collaborating with UWW in the last years and is paving the way for the future generations of Spain. Now more than ever, we realize the importance of sport for all human beings, not only for the physical training but most importantly, the mental well-being. We want such initiatives within all our NF’s around the world as it is the first milestone to sports development from grassroots to elite."

Federacion de Lucha Espagnola President Francisco Javier IGLESIAS SERNA commented, "We thank UWW for its support with the Grassroot Programme - Sport for All project which has helped the development of Olympic wrestling in Spain. Spain is working on future projects in support of the base of Olympic wrestling with the creation of degrees to encourage young people and the help of sports equipment to clubs, with the support of the base we guarantee better training and greater opportunities for young people can reach technification with better training. We hope to continue counting on UWW's support for future projects."

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Lee re-elected as President of UWW Pan-American Council

By United World Wrestling Press

MONTERREY, Mexico (May 8) -- Francisco LEE will continue as the President of the UWW Pan-American Council after being re-elected on Wednesday.

The elections, held on the sidelines of the 2025 Pan-American Championships, saw five members being re-elected and two elected as new members.

Re-elected members
Francisco LEE (GUA)
Guillermo DIAZ (MEX)
Fernando RITTNER(ARG)
Fanny ECHEVERRI (COL)
Manuel ESPINOZA (CHI)

Newly elected members
Rich BENDER (USA)
Jose BARRETO (VEN)

After the elections, the council's executive board elected the office bearers with Lee re-elected as the President.

Diaz was given the position of General Secretary of the council while Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director, was appointed as the Vice-President.