From Ibadan To Birmingham: Nigeria Judo Begins Countdown To Commonwealth Games

IKPO IGBINOBA

With 410 days to the XXII Commonwealth Games billed for the English city of Birmingham, Nigeria has taken a step towards making a remarkable impact in the judo event. 

Unlike in the past when the country indulged in late preparations, the build up 

to the Games will begin on July 14 in Ibadan.

On that day, a judo championship with a difference will commence in Ibadan. 

In living memory, the championship, dubbed National Open Judo Championships for men and women is the first to be made mandatory for all judokas.

Secretary General of the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Monica Otumola in a letter addressed to stakeholders explained the importance championship and it’s set objectives.

The championship is out to achieve three goals. They are namely 

1. To harmonise the federation’s documentation and ranking of her athletes for ease of reference as regards international, continental and national programmes
2. To raise the profile of Nigerian judo to be at par with the rest of the world and boost the quality of judokas, coaches and referees.

3.For judokas to start garnering points which would earn them a place in the national team that will face international challenges including the Commonwealth Games billed for Birmingham next year.

Having outlined the reasons for staging the championship, the secretary said it was mandatory for all judokas to participate.

The curtain raiser to the championship proper according to the schedule is a two day refresher course for coaches, referees and senior judokas. 

The course will hold on July 14 and 15. The championship commences thereafter and ends on July 18.

This dramatic, fairytale  turnaround for Nigerian judo is a product of a powerful partnership between the federation and the Oshodi Judo Foundation which has been in the vanguard of promoting judo from the grassroots to elite level for over a decade.

A brainchild of one time Vice President of the NJF, Dr.Musa Oshodi, the foundation’s core vision is taking Nigerian judo to the Olympic height and introducing the sport into the curriculum of schools.

Oshodi, a former judoka believes that judo is not just a sport but a way of life which can equip a practitioner with the tools to deal with life’s contemporary challenges.

Meanwhile, former African champion, Esther Augustine is excited about the upcoming championship.

Esther who got gold in the 70kg category in the just concluded National Sports Festival told PM Express that she would be in Ibadan.

” I must be in Ibadan for the championship and I think every judoka would want to be there” she stressed.

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