19th July, 2013
At least 14 judokas and six officials of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) will from today take part in the Cotonou Invitational Open Judo Championship in Benin Republic.
The championship, which will feature judokas from different parts of the world starts today and end on Monday with Nigeria judokas both male and female taking part in seven different categories.
Board member and Director, North Central zone of the federation, Damisa Suleiman said at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos yesterday before the delegation left for Cotonou that the championship will help Nigeria judokas to prepare for the Brazil World Championship billed for next month.
“It is good we are participating at the Cotonou Invitational Open Judo Championship because it will help us prepare our athletes well ahead of the World Judo Championship in Brazil next month,” Suleiman said.
He however assured that the athletes will not let down the country as they’ve prepared well enough for the oppositions from other countries.
“We just finished a tournament in Ibadan, Oyo State tagged: ‘Oluyole 2013’ and we expect the athletes to put into use the experience garnered at the tournament,” he said.
Suleiman, who is also the chairman of the finance committee of the NJF added that the present board will do all within its powers to develop the game of Judo in the country. He called on all stakeholders to join hands with the board members to move the game forward.
“Since we came on board last 17 May, we’ve resolved to ensure that all hands are on decks towards developing the game of Judo in the country.
“We will not relent on our oars until we take the sport to the height that it belongs with the support of all and sundry,” he said.