Lomé stages inaugural Africa Initiative Cup for sambo
The competition comes as Togo and Russia pursue sports cooperation under a memorandum signed in April 2023.
The first Africa Initiative Cup for sambo is taking place in Lomé as Togo develops sporting ties with Russia. The Togolese Sambo Federation has held demonstrations in the city since June 2024.
Cup organizer Andrey Belogonov, who represents Africa Initiative, said the effort seeks to establish the sport in Togo through exchanges involving culture, sport and training. Sambo originated in the USSR and is less widely known in Togo than football.
A memorandum signed by the two countries’ sports ministers in April 2023 covers training and infrastructure, alongside sports in schools and mass participation.
Gneny Tchagbele, representing Togo’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, said Russia may invite Togolese federations to international competitions and sporting initiatives. He said Togo would take part.
Among the athletes is Anthony Yao Sodjinê, who moved to sambo from judo and has competed at four African tournaments over three years. He said the initiative could make scholarships available for athletes, coaches and other practitioners to undertake training in Russia.
