A new sports centre has opened in Bryansk ©All-Russian Sambo Federation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has opened a new sports centre in Bryansk within the framework of the "Russia - Country of Sports" forum.

Putin helped to inaugurate the facility remotely with the help of Russian national sambo team captain Artem Osipenko, who it is named after.

The nine-time world champion was on site for the ribbon cutting ceremony and thanked Putin on behalf of local residents for the decision to allocate funding for the centre.

It is the largest martial arts facility in Russia's Central Federal District with an area of 6,500 square metres.

It was constructed at a cost of RUB2 billion (£17.2 million/$20.9 million/€19.7 million).

The new facility features two swimming pools, a multi-purpose sports hall, a gym, and a martial arts space ©All-Russian Sambo Federation
The new facility features two swimming pools, a multi-purpose sports hall, a gym, and a martial arts space ©All-Russian Sambo Federation

The centre has two swimming pools, a universal hall for team sports, a gym, and a hall for martial arts. 

Children are allowed to take part in sporting activities at the centre for free.

"The President's instructions on the development of mass sports, the availability of sports facilities, and the improvement of the status of coaches in the region are being implemented and are yielding positive results," read an All-Russian Sambo Federation statement.

Bryansk is set to stage the Russian Sambo Championships next year which is the biggest national sambo event in the world.

Selection for the Russian national sambo team is also due to be held at the Artem Osipenko Martial Arts Palace.