Kid Judokas' Clinic tickles Japanese Diplomat

Apparently impressed by the news of the maiden Judo Clinic for kids, a Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Takao Anzawa turned-up at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos – venue of the clinic yesterday unexpectedly.“Azanwa literally sneaked into the Sports Hall to the surprise of everybody at about 11 am.

"The programme organizers were shocked by his visit, they knew nothing about. However, we were impressed by his visit…it went to show how interested the Diplomat is in the development of the sport in Nigeria. For forty-five minutes, he stood spell-bound watching the kids’ responses to the instructors’ signals and lessons on the basics of Judo,” recalled the Media and Publicity coordinator of the Nigeria Judo Federation, Mr. Ikpo Igbinoba.

Shortly before his departure, nigeriasports.com sought to know the Diplomat’s impressions on what he saw of the Clinic and he responded with a prediction of a bright future for the game in Nigeria, if the Clinic is sustained. “Soon, Nigeria would catch up with the rest of the world in judo if this programme is organized on a regular basis. This is because the best way to develop sport, is to introduce the sport to the kids at their tender years.

He said he was at the programme to get a first hand knowledge of judo in Nigeria so that, “we can see in what ways we could assist in the development of the sport.”