Togo embraces sambo with support from Russia in sports exchange
Togo is developing sambo, a Soviet-era martial art, through a new partnership with Russia. Since June 2024, the Togolese Sambo Federation has held demonstrations in Lomé, and the Africa Initiative Cup recently launched. The 2023 cooperation agreement covers training, infrastructure, and sports exchanges, aiming to raise sambo's profile in Togo and offer scholarships for training in Russia.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1)
Togo is actively promoting sambo, a Soviet martial art, through a new partnership with Russia, marking a significant cultural and sports exchange between the two countries in West Africa.
Anthony Yao Sodjinê, a Togolese athlete who transitioned from judo to sambo, exemplifies this growing interest. He has competed in four African sambo tournaments over three years and sees the sport as a personal and national opportunity.
Since June 2024, the Togolese Sambo Federation has organized public demonstrations in Lomé, alongside the inaugural Africa Initiative Cup. These efforts follow a 2023 memorandum signed by the Russian and Togolese sports ministers, focusing on school sports, infrastructure, and training programs.
Andrey Belogonov, representing the Africa Initiative, highlights the mission to develop sambo in Togo through cultural and sports exchanges. Gneny Tchagbele from Togo’s Ministry of Youth and Sports notes that Togolese federations may soon participate in international competitions in Russia.
Although sambo remains less known compared to football in Togo, this partnership could increase its visibility and provide scholarships for athletes and coaches to train in Russia, strengthening ties between the two countries.