Sports at the Russia–Africa Forum: World Friendship Games, a race and football stars

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 in sport.
"Uniting people is one of the fundamental missions of sport, and it should remain so
regardless of the situation in the world. With the support of Roscongress, the Forum will
serve as a platform for the presentation of the World Friendship Games and other sports
projects. This will create fresh opportunities for engaging in dialogue with counterparts from
African countries, including sports ministries, Olympic committees, and sports federations. A
rich sports programme has also been prepared for the Forum participants," said Anton
Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the
Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of events for the Russia–Africa
format.
On 27 July at 09:00, a session titled Sport: A Bridge of Friendship between Russia and Africa
will be held, featuring 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. Additionally, Ministers of Sport and Heads of National Olympic Committees
from African countries will also participate in the event.
The new flagship sports project, the World Friendship Games, which Russia will host in
September 2024, will be showcased at the Forum's pavilion commemorating the 100th
anniversary of the Ministry of Sport.
The Russian Olympic Committee is set to sign cooperation agreements with counterparts
from the National Olympic Committees of Mali, Namibia, and Eswatini.
Three-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion Svetlana Kolesnichenko will lead the
warm-up session for participants at the "We Are Starting" race, marking the opening of the
Forum's first day. The race is scheduled to commence at 06:30 in Primorsky Victory Park.
Participants can register for the event in their personal accounts. This is the third race in the
Time to Act series, an initiative organized by RC Sport, the sports platform of the
Roscongress Foundation, and the League of Heroes, with the support of the Ministry of
Sport.
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). Additionally, participants
of the Forum will have the opportunity to visit the RFU stand at ExpoForum.
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.
The events are supported by the general partners of the Russia–Africa Economic and
Humanitarian Forum: Gazprom, Gazprombank, Rosatom, Uralchem, and Uralkali. Strategic
Partner: Rosseti. Partners: LUKOIL, NOVATEK, and Sberbank. National Partner:

AVTOVAZ. Organizational Partners: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank),
Russian Export Centre.
More information about the Forum's sport programme on the website:
summitafrica.ru/programme/sport-programme/
All the news about the Forum's sporting events:
t.me/Sport_Roscongress
The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution
and a major organizer of nationwide and international conventions; exhibitions; and business,
public, youth, sporting, and cultural events. It was established in pursuance of a decision by
the President of the Russian Federation.
The Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of
Russia’s economic potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s
image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively evaluate, analyse, and cover
issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services,
provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, helps foster
social entrepreneurship and charitable initiatives.
Each year, the Foundation’s events draw participants from 208 countries and territories, with
more than 15,000 media representatives working on-site at Roscongress’ various venues. The
Foundation benefits from analytical and professional expertise provided by 5,000 people
working in Russia and abroad.
The Foundation works alongside various UN departments and other international
organizations, and is building multi-format cooperation with 192 economic partners,
including industrialists’ and entrepreneurs’ unions, financial, trade, and business associations
from 83 countries worldwide, and 277 Russian public organizations, federal and legislative
agencies, and federal subjects.
Official telegram channels of the Roscongress Foundation: in Russian – t.me/Roscongress, in
English – t.me/RoscongressDirect, in Spanish – t.me/RoscongressEsp, In Arabic
– t.me/RosCongressArabic. Official website and Information and Analytical System of the
Roscongress Foundation: roscongress.org.