In Lome, a soviet-era sport celebrates Togo-Russia ties

On the sand of Lomé Beach, Anthony Yao Sodjinê warms up for a match. The sport he's preparing for - sambo - began in the USSR and takes its name from a Russian expression meaning "unarmed self-defense."

Now, a new partnership between Togo and Russia is giving the discipline a foothold in West Africa.

Anthony came to sambo from judo, and the transition was deliberate. "I decided to take up competitive sambo to test myself, to see how it would turn out in life," he says.

In three years, he has already competed in four African tournaments. His personal journey now sits inside a broader partnership between Togo and Russia, with sports as the channel.

For Anthony, the stakes go beyond competition.

The initiative, he says, "could enable us to receive scholarships to travel to Russia to participate in training programs for athletes, coaches, and all practitioners of this discipline."

Matches since June 2024

The Togolese Sambo Federation has been organizing demonstrations in Lomé since June 2024. The Africa Initiative Cup is in its first edition.

The groundwork was laid earlier: in April 2023, the Russian and Togolese sports ministers signed a memorandum of cooperation covering school and mass sports, infrastructure, and training.

"Our mission here is to develop this type of sport in Togo, as part of cultural and sports exchanges, as well as training exchanges," says Andrey Belogonov, representative of Africa Initiative and organizer of the Africa Initiative Cup.

"Today, our federations may be invited by the Russian Federation to participate in sports initiatives and international competitions," says Gneny Tchagbele, representative of Togo's Ministry of Youth and Sports.

"Togo will participate," he adds.

Despite the progress, sambo remains relatively unknown in Togo compared with sports like football.

But the nascent partnership between Lomé and Moscow could earn it the visibility it needs.

You may also like

Youth Olympics open in Senegal marking the first Olympic event in Africa

Senegal gears up for a historic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Africa Cup of Nations to maintain 2-year cycle after CAF U-turn

01:58

Youth Olympics open in Senegal marking the first Olympic event in Africa

01:44

Senegal gears up for a historic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

00:57

Africa Cup of Nations to maintain 2-year cycle after CAF U-turn

01:58

Youth Olympics open in Senegal marking the first Olympic event in Africa

01:44

Senegal gears up for a historic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

00:57

Africa Cup of Nations to maintain 2-year cycle after CAF U-turn

SPORT

Go to video

Durban to lead South Africa’s bid to bring Olympics to Africa

NEWS

01:45

Putin hails 'natural allies' at Russia-Africa summit in Moscow

NEWS

01:22

Moscow prepares to host African leaders for Russia-Africa Summit

SPORT 01:45 Turkish football fans elated about Mohamed Salah's transfer to Trabzonspor

SPORT

01:11

Olympics: South Africa aims to host the Games in 2036

SPORT

01:05

Mbappé explains decision to cover Ceuta solidarity message

02:39 World News Africa suffering in 'strongmen' era: governance watchdog Mo Ibrahim

01:48 Cyril Ramaphosa Hundreds march in Johannesburg to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride in South Africa

01:58 Senegal Youth Olympics open in Senegal marking the first Olympic event in Africa