Greetings from the Minister of Defence!
Dear Friends of Wrestling and Participants of the World Military Wrestling Championship!
The International Military Sports Council (CISM) hosts events on a world championship level in 26 different sports. Most of the sports are traditional military sports but also included are popular team sports. Wrestling has long traditions reaching all the way to Antiquity. As a sport it is very suitable as a military sport, after all, the event is a fair one on one competition. Military Sports are also an excellent way to meet military personnel from different countries and thus shatter the prejudices. It is the best work of peace and military personnel are its best ambassadors.
I wish all the participants successful and eventful Championships in Military Wrestling. For the audience, I hope these Championships have tough and even events and that you experience exciting moments also in the audience.
Distinguished guests and wrestlers of the 27th World Military Wrestling Championships,
On behalf of the Finnish Government and the Ministry of Defence I would like to welcome you all in Lahti, Finland. Lahti, as a traditional military sports city, provides good facilities and atmosphere for the 27th Military Wrestling Championships. I am sure that this competition will be a very successful event.
I wish you all a good and fair competition. Let the best man win!
Jyri Häkämies
Minister of Defence of Finland
