The Second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will take place on 27–28 July in St. Petersburg, will provide a platform to enhance international communications through sports.
“Uniting people is one of the fundamental missions of sport, and it should remain so regardless of the situation in the world,” said Anton Kobyakov, advisor to the president of Russia.
“This will create fresh opportunities for engaging in dialogue with counterparts from African countries, including sports ministries, Olympic committees, and sports federations,” he added.
The first day of the forum will include a session on using sports as a bridge of friendship between Russia and Africa.
The session will feature the participation of Russian Minister of Sport Oleg Matytsin, President of the International Boxing Association Umar Kremlev, President of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation Irina Viner, and President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov.
Ministers of sport and heads of Olympic committees from African countries will also participate in the event.
Russia’s new flagship sports project, the World Friendship Games, which is scheduled for September 2024, will be showcased at the forum.
The Russian Olympic Committee is set to sign cooperation agreements with counterparts from the Olympic committees of Mali, Namibia, and Eswatini.
The first day of the forum will also feature a warm-up race for participants led by three-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion Svetlana Kolesnichenko.
Russian and African football legends are set to join forum participants at the Gazprom Arena for a gala match, organized by the Russian Football Union (RFU).
Teams from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Mali will participate in the Russia–Africa International Football Tournament among student teams. The sports programme will also feature a diplomats’ match, where employees from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African embassies will compete.
Source : Ahram Online
