Karpinsky Institute opens first Sambo Center in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, November 30, 2024 (FBC) — The Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute has opened the first Sambo Center in Addis Ababa as part the international project “Sambo in Granite.”

Sambo is a combat sport, and a recognized style of amateur wrestling prominent in Russia. The main purpose of the center is to enhance the bilateral relations of Ethiopia and Russia in sports and culture.

Mikhail Rakhlin, an honored coach from Russia, president of the Judo Club ‘Turbostroitel,’ and head of the Judo Federation of St. Petersburg, emphasized the importance of promoting Sambo worldwide.

“It was so important for me to be here. Science and sport, geology and sambo, these are areas that are well developed in our country. We are ready to share experience with you because we are successful in this and we want you to become more successful,” he said.

Rakhlin elaborated on the significance of Sambo in strengthening international relations.

“Our goal is to foster the development of friendly relations, starting with science and its advancement. Friendship, science, and sport are the forces that can unite us and make us stronger. They enable us to share our best qualities with one another.”

Rakhlin expressed his confidence that the Sambo Center would further deepen ties between Russia and Ethiopia in both sport and science, as reported by local news agency ENA.

“I am sure that such things as science, sport, friendship, communication can move our relations, both personal and state, to an even more trustworthy level. We will take into account what you have the best; you will take the best from us. I think it will be mutual respect and it will give excellent results,” Rakhlin added.

I want to see Ethiopian children start practicing this sport, he said, adding, “I believe that’s another important part of this project. We will begin with adults and students, and over time, very young children will become interested in it as well.”

Director-General of Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute, Pavel Khimchenko Pavel Khimchenko, congratulated both Russian and Ethiopian teams on the opening of the first Sambo center, the first center in East Africa.

The Samba is national Russian sport, noting its aim just to make a lot of athletes and a lot of professionals here in Ethiopia.

“We have made plans with Ethiopian athletes, and Russian specialists. In the short term, our primary goal is for Ethiopians to participate in the African Championship. In the long term, we certainly hope to see African athletes competing in the World Sambo Championship.”

He further emphasized that Sambo would offer Ethiopians valuable life skills, helping them grow not only as athletes but as individuals.

“The lessons learned through Sambo will be useful in daily life, providing participants with confidence and discipline that extend beyond the sport itself,” he noted.

Finally, he added that the institute has been providing lecture to Ethiopian students to inspire and ignite their interest in the earth sciences through interactive storytelling and engaging presentations by Russian experts.

Recall the Russian Geological Research Institute opened its Karpinsky Geological Class in Ethiopia in May 2024.