Dr. Rashmi Saluja, President of the Curling Federation of India (CFI), participated in the prestigious Samara Sports Forum 2025, held on 5th November 2025 at the Solidarity Samara Arena, Russia. The international forum brought together sports ministers, federation heads, and global sports leaders to deliberate on the growing role of sports in fostering international cooperation, peace, and unity.
Dr. Saluja participated as a distinguished panelist in the session titled “Sport Beyond Borders: New Horizons of Interaction.” The discussion underscored sport’s universal mission to transcend political boundaries, strengthen mutual understanding among nations, and inspire youth across the world.
Key Address: Sports Beyond Borders
Speaking during the session, Dr. Rashmi Saluja strongly emphasized that sports is a neutral and unifying platform, and that an athlete should never be denied the opportunity to compete for moments they have prepared for throughout their lives. She highlighted that sports stand above politics and represent a vast global industry that should remain untouched by geopolitical differences or uninformed judgments.
As President of the Curling Federation of India, Dr. Saluja expressed her support for inclusive participation in global sporting events, acknowledging the contribution of nations such as Russia in nurturing sporting excellence, developing world-class infrastructure, and producing exceptional athletes who have enriched the global sports ecosystem.
Eminent Global Panel
The session featured an eminent panel of global sports leaders, including: Mr. Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation and President of the Russian Olympic Committee; Mr. Alexey Svirin, President of the Russian Rowing Federation and Olympic Champion; Mr. Zoran Gajic, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Sergey Kovalchuk, Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus; Mr. Vasily Konov, Deputy General Producer, Match TV; Mr. Alexey Zolotarev, President, Russian Padel Federation; Mr. Ilya Vdovin, President, Russian Skateboarding Federation; Mr. Joe Walkley, CEO, World Curling Tour; Mr. Patrick McQuaid, former President of Union Cycliste Internationale and former IOC Member; along with ministers and senior officials from Madagascar, Cameroon, Congo, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Mali, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Equatorial Guinea.
Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements
On the sidelines of the forum, Dr. Rashmi Saluja held meaningful discussions with H.E. Siarhei Kavalchuk, Minister of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus, and H.E. Mr. Jan Kuznetsov, Minister of Sports for Primorsky Krai (Vladivostok), Russian Federation. Conversations focused on strengthening cooperation in sports training, youth engagement, cultural exchange, and exploring trilateral collaboration among India, Russia, and Belarus in sports diplomacy.
Dr. Saluja also met Ms. Svetlana Leksina, Head of the Sports Department of the Magadan Region, along with Mr. Anton Batugin of the Russian Curling Federation and Mr. Joe Walkley from the World Curling Tour, discussing future cooperation in curling development.
Curling Championship and Felicitations
At the Ice Curling Championship prize distribution ceremony, Dr. Rashmi Saluja addressed the athletes, applauding their exceptional sportsmanship, discipline, and determination. She encouraged them to “go for gold” and expressed optimism about seeing them compete at the World Curling Championship. Dr. Saluja also awarded medals to the winning teams, celebrating their excellence on the ice.
During the championship, Dr. Saluja felicitated Mr. Dmitry Svishchev, President of the Russian Curling Federation, for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the sport. She also honored Mr. Alexey Chernyaev, Vice Minister of Sport, Samara Region; Mr. Anton Batugin, Executive Member of the Russian Curling Federation; and Mr. Joe Walkley, President of the World Curling Tour, in recognition of their significant efforts in advancing curling globally.
Reception and Cultural Message
At the reception hosted by the Governor of Samara, Mr. Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, Dr. Rashmi Saluja engaged in meaningful dialogue with Ms. Rima Akberdinovna Batalova, Duma Member and Paralympic Champion. Addressing global delegates at the reception, Dr. Saluja shared India’s timeless philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family, reinforcing India’s vision of unity, inclusivity, and global brotherhood through sports.
Further International Interactions
Dr. Saluja also interacted with several distinguished international sports leaders, including Ms. Julia Komleva, President of the Skating Union of Belarus; Mr. Patrik Mandzela, Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Congo; Mr. Alejandro Martín Owono Evuna Andeme, President of the National Olympic Committee of Equatorial Guinea; and Mr. Alfonso Pablo Orito Adjuti, Executive Member of the same committee. Discussions centered on sports diplomacy, athlete development, and cultural exchange.
She further met Mr. Mankhanov Zorigto Sergeevich, President of the Russian Archery Federation, exploring avenues for future sporting collaboration.
A special meeting was held on the sidelines, focusing on upcoming collaborative initiatives between India and Russia. Key discussions revolved around President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to India in December, as well as joint efforts to promote sports cooperation—particularly in the field of curling. The meeting also highlighted ongoing engagements between India and Russia aimed at further strengthening bilateral collaboration across various sectors. Dr. Rashmi Saluja held discussions with Mr. Anton A. Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Economics, and Professor, during which both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing India–Russia partnerships through sustained dialogue and mutual cooperation. Dr. Saluja reaffirmed India’s commitment to this partnership, expressing that the people of India extend their full cooperation to Russia and regard it as a trusted friend, reliable partner, and a nation of shared goodwill and progress.
Plenary Session: “Russia – Country of Sports”
Dr. Rashmi Saluja participated in the plenary session of the 13th International Sports Forum, “Russia: Country of Sports,” which featured a keynote address by President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the unifying power of sports and its role in strengthening international cooperation and youth engagement.
The plenary included addresses by global leaders such as Mr. Mikhail Degtyarev, Mr. Zoran Gajic, Mr. Sergei Kovalchuk, Mr. Erbol Myrzabosynov (Kazakhstan), Mr. Anselm Sanyatwe (Zimbabwe), Mr. Nasser Radan Thamer Al-Muteiri (Asia Cooperation Dialogue), and Mr. Alfred Foloko (Zambia). Their insights highlighted sports as a bridge for peace, cultural understanding, and sustainable development.
At the plenary session, Dr. Saluja also held discussions with Mr. Ghanim Alhajeri, Undersecretary, Ministry of Sports, UAE, on strengthening international sports cooperation.
Conclusion
The Samara Sports Forum 2025 reaffirmed the power of sports as a catalyst for diplomacy, unity, and global progress. Dr. Rashmi Saluja’s active participation as President of the Curling Federation of India reflected India’s growing leadership in international sports engagement and its commitment to fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and shared growth through sport.
