Judokas plan chart course for growth

Nigerian Judokas would develop a new sense of belonging and vigour, if the chart being drafted by the Nigerian Judo Federation, is logically mapped out and followed to its anticipated conclusion.This new chart, according to the Secretary of the Federation Mrs Tayo Oreweme, would at its completion, lift the art to a higher plane and rejuvenate its performance in the country.

According to Mr Ikpo Igbinoba, one of the resource persons at a seminar titled:  “Press Seminar to enhance the reporting of Judo,” “our plan is to ensure that, the game is given more prominence by the local media.“This” he stressed, “is to create further awareness for judo and boost its followers for a better understanding.  We are of the view that, if this is done in the first instance, more and more people would not only get to know the game, but prospective sponsors, would also be encouraged to come into putting their money in the promotion of the game.

“The whole process could stress beyond the four-year term of the martial art’s current dispensation headed by Dr Uzor Kalu, Governor of  Abia State.  But the important thing is to get started and we are sure that, whoever comes in later, would have been offered a suitable springboard on which to bounce,” Igbinoba, co-ordinator of the seminar chipped in. Buttressing Igbinoba’s in a manner of giving it an official authentication, the Scribe of the Federation added:  “This seminar is only an appetizer to the main courses we have lined up to see our dreams come true.

“There are other activities such trials and age-group tournaments aimed at getting the unknown talents and further firming-up the standard of both the present practitioners and the game.” Sports Ministry officials and other dignitaries, including the Mr Takao Anzawa, Counsellor, Japan Embassy in Nigeria, who pledged to assist the Nigerian Judo Federation in “transferring Judo technology to Nigeria,” graced the event, which was held in the Media Centre of the National Stadium, Lagos on June 30, 2005.

At the end of the one-day seminar, journalists numbering over 25 were issued Certificates of Participation by the federation.

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