LOMÉ, Togo — A partnership between Togo and Russia is supporting the development of sambo in Togo through public demonstrations, competition and proposed training exchanges.

The martial art, which originated in the former Soviet Union, remains far less familiar in Togo than football. Organisers and officials see the partnership as a way to widen access to the sport and connect Togolese athletes with opportunities beyond the country.

Anthony Yao Sodjinê, a Togolese sambo competitor, recently warmed up for a bout on the sand at Lomé Beach. He entered sambo after practicing judo and has competed in four African tournaments during three years in the discipline.

“I decided to take up competitive sambo to test myself, to see how it would turn out in life,” Sodjinê said.

Building a base in Togo

The Togolese Sambo Federation has organised demonstrations in Lomé since June 2024 as it works to introduce the sport to a wider audience. Sambo’s name comes from a Russian expression meaning “unarmed self-defense.”

The first edition of the Africa Initiative Cup is another part of the effort to give the discipline a stronger competitive platform. The event is being organised by Africa Initiative, which describes its work as combining sports and cultural engagement with training exchanges.

“Our mission here is to develop this type of sport in Togo, as part of cultural and sports exchanges, as well as training exchanges,” said Andrey Belogonov, an Africa Initiative representative and organiser of the cup.

The initiative comes within a wider framework of cooperation between the two countries. In April 2023, Russia’s and Togo’s sports ministers signed a memorandum covering school and mass sports, sports infrastructure and training.

Potential links with Russia

Supporters of the partnership say it could eventually give Togolese athletes, coaches and other practitioners access to programmes in Russia. Sodjinê said the initiative could make it possible for participants to receive scholarships to travel there for training.

“Could enable us to receive scholarships to travel to Russia to participate in training programs for athletes, coaches, and all practitioners of this discipline,” he said.

The available information does not establish that such scholarships have already been awarded. The partnership also points to possible participation by Togolese sports federations in Russian initiatives and international competitions.

Gneny Tchagbele, representing Togo’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, said: “Today, our federations may be invited by the Russian Federation to participate in sports initiatives and international competitions.”

For now, sambo’s profile in Togo remains limited. Organisers are using demonstrations, exchanges and competition to build familiarity with the sport while linking its local growth to the broader sports relationship between Togo and Russia.