https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250912/africa-is-the-future-russias-sports-initiatives-spark-new-generation-of-athletes-1078153486.html
'Africa is the Future:' Russia's Sports Initiatives Spark New Generation of Athletes
'Africa is the Future:' Russia's Sports Initiatives Spark New Generation of Athletes
Sputnik Africa
In Moscow’s iconic parks, a modest sporting event has transformed into a global platform that spotlights African talent, nurtures young athletes, builds skills... 12.09.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-09-12T13:00+0200
2025-09-12T13:00+0200
2025-09-12T13:01+0200
african currents
podcasts
sputnik africa
africa
central africa
east africa
west africa
north africa
southern africa
russia
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/09/0c/1078175898_0:88:400:313_1920x0_80_0_0_f66bf43fa38dbc030dfc94cbcfe1006a.jpg
'Africa is the Future:' Russia's Sports Initiatives Spark New Generation of Athletes
Sputnik Africa
In Moscow’s iconic parks, a modest sporting event has transformed into a global platform that spotlights African talent, nurtures young athletes, builds skills and confidence, fosters cultural exchange, and elevates previously overlooked sports to the world stage.
In a continent celebrated for its dominance in football, athletics, and long-distance running, Africa is now poised to redefine sporting excellence through niche sports like skateboarding, surfing, BMX biking, climbing, and e-sports. With one of the youngest and fastest-growing urban populations in the world, the continent is embracing new avenues for talent, self-expression, and community-building. Beyond the thrill of tricks, waves, and races, these emerging sports offer African youth a platform for creativity, innovation, and cultural leadership, while challenging narrow definitions of success and expanding the sporting landscape. As these disciplines gain momentum, they are not only shaping Africa’s athletic future but also opening doors to economic opportunities, global recognition, and a more inclusive vision of what it means to excel in sports today.African Currents hosted an engaging discussion with two South African trailblazers in niche sports: Dallas Oberholzer, a professional skateboarder, and Simon Paton, International Business Development Manager for sporting events. They shared how their pioneering efforts are putting Africa on the map in emerging sports, inspiring youth, and turning unconventional disciplines into platforms for global recognition and opportunity.Want to hear more from our guests? Catch the full conversation on the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.You’ll find our episodes not just on the website, but also on Telegram.► You can also stream our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents.
africa
central africa
east africa
west africa
north africa
southern africa
russia
moscow
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2025
Chimauchem Nwosu
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/06/0b/1066992175_0:0:278:278_100x100_80_0_0_b5f6eaa3b85dbfcd0266ea860848a996.jpg
Chimauchem Nwosu
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/06/0b/1066992175_0:0:278:278_100x100_80_0_0_b5f6eaa3b85dbfcd0266ea860848a996.jpg
News
en_EN
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Chimauchem Nwosu
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/06/0b/1066992175_0:0:278:278_100x100_80_0_0_b5f6eaa3b85dbfcd0266ea860848a996.jpg
podcasts, sputnik africa, africa, central africa, east africa, west africa, north africa, southern africa, russia, moscow, skateboarding, sport, аудио
podcasts, sputnik africa, africa, central africa, east africa, west africa, north africa, southern africa, russia, moscow, skateboarding, sport, аудио
'Africa is the Future:' Russia's Sports Initiatives Spark New Generation of Athletes
In Moscow’s iconic parks, a modest sporting event has transformed into a global platform that spotlights African talent, nurtures young athletes, builds skills and confidence, fosters cultural exchange, and elevates previously overlooked sports to the world stage.
In a continent celebrated for its dominance in football, athletics, and long-distance running, Africa is now poised to redefine sporting excellence through niche sports like skateboarding, surfing, BMX biking, climbing, and e-sports. With one of the youngest and fastest-growing urban populations in the world, the continent is embracing new avenues for talent, self-expression, and community-building. Beyond the thrill of tricks, waves, and races, these emerging sports offer African youth a platform for creativity, innovation, and cultural leadership, while challenging narrow definitions of success and expanding the sporting landscape. As these disciplines gain momentum, they are not only shaping Africa’s athletic future but also opening doors to economic opportunities, global recognition, and a more inclusive vision of what it means to excel in sports today.
African Currents hosted an engaging discussion with two South African trailblazers in niche sports: Dallas Oberholzer, a professional skateboarder, and Simon Paton, International Business Development Manager for sporting events. They shared how their pioneering efforts are putting Africa on the map in emerging sports, inspiring youth, and turning unconventional disciplines into platforms for global recognition and opportunity.
"It's [skateboarding] a global culture, and it's ready to be shared. It's not being gate-kept. It's not held back by access to resources. Of course there is a balance, though; there's a very strong balance because having a skateboard on its own is enough to get started, but to progress to a level where you're able to compete and to represent your country on a global level, there needs to be some infrastructure in place, which would mean a skate park, a place for a community to start building because skateboarding is also very different and, as you said, a niche sport. Why is it a niche spot? Because you need a place of gathering for communities to build," Paton said.
Want to hear more from our guests? Catch the full conversation on the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
You’ll find our episodes not just on the website, but also on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents. 
