16th July, 2015
As preparations for the 11th All Africa Games hit top gear, the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, is staging a final screening for judokas in Abuja from 21-22 July.
The screening will be the climax of a selection process which began with national trials on 4 July at the NSCDC Academy in Sauka, Abuja.
Over 50 judokas from across the country have been invited for the screening.
The date for arrival in Abuja is 21 July, while the screening is 22 July. The velodrome at the Abuja National Stadium will be venue for the event.
Technical Director of the federation, Dr. Musa Oshodi told journalists that the final screening was imperative to ensure “Nigeria has quality representation at the All Africa Games.”
He further noted that “Judo is a combat sport and the federation cannot take chances with the quality of judokas it will take to the All Africa Games. Only the very best will be good enough for us.
“Nigeria cannot play the second fiddle at the Games.”
While admitting that judo would be fiercely competive at the Games to be hosted by Congo Brazzaville in September, Dr Oshodi said Nigeria is blessed with talents “capable of facing any opposition”.
According to him, “when we visited the DG of the NSC, Mr. Alhassan Yakmut, he tasked us to win medals at the Games and we promised we were going to deliver medals.
“We won’t disappoint the Commission and we won’t disappoint Nigerians.”
The Technical Director said camping of judokas who scale the final screening would commence immediately but declined to give further details.