Let’s Bring Sanity To Nigerian Judo, Oshodi Tasks Stakeholders Ahead Federation Polls

IKPO IGBINOBA 

Stakeholders’ choice for the Nigeria Judo Federation plum job, Dr. Musa Oshodi has challenged members of the judo community to roll up their sleeves and be ready to work and change the pathetic narrative of martial art in Nigeria.

Oshodi, who spoke over the weekend was reacting to the avalanche of support he has been receiving from stakeholders in the build-up to the federation elections.

The latest group to join the bandwagon of support are the head coaches of the six states in the South-West zone. 

Last week, the coaches took their support a notch higher by unanimously adopting Dr. Oshodi as their sole candidate for the zonal elections which comes up on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Oshodi thanked the South West coaches and other stakeholders for their support.

 He said excitedly “I am really overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from members of the extended judo family. 

“To be honest, I don’t have words strong enough to express my gratitude”.

 The one-time vice president of the NJF who described the support and endorsement as an honour and a challenge promised to give his all to the cause of judo once he secures the mandate to lead the federation.

According to him “I feel honoured by the deluge of support which I have received so far but then I also consider the support as a challenge.

 And I am going to respond appropriately.

“I will give my all to the cause of judo to reciprocate the confidence reposed in me by my judo family members”.

However, the Oyo State Judo Association chairman insisted that he was not going to run a one-man show once he mounts the saddle.

He declared “The challenge ahead can’t be addressed by me alone. All hands have to be on deck and we all have to roll up our sleeves because there is a lot of work to be done. 

“We all have a role to play in the arduous task of changing the judo narrative.

The athlete has a role to play. The coaches have a role to play. The referees have a role to play. The administrators have a role to play”

“When we work as a team with the right leadership in place, Nigeria judo will regain her lost glory”.