Member of the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Bolaji Yusuf has submitted that the just concluded National Youth Games, held in Ilorin, Kwara State is an eye opener for the recently elected board of the federation.
He disclosed that with what he saw during the games, the sky won’t be the limit for the sport in the country, adding that the way to go about developing the sport is to go back to the basics which is catching them young. He emphasised that the board is working towards discovering new and young talented judokas that will not only represent the country but make it proud.
Yusuf who is the chairman of the Youth Committee of the federation stated that the major bane of the sport in the country is lack of equipment and kits, but revealed that the board is already looking into possibility of working with other stakeholders of the sport in the area of providing the basic equipment for the athletes.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode on Sports Facilities said the board will rally round to build and develop judokas who will be in turn with the latest technology and techniques.
He said the board is in the process of developing a data base for all judokas in the country and also for other critical stakeholders such as the coaches, officiating officials and other key relevant stakeholder of the sport.
Yusuf who represent South West zone on the board said the target of the board is develop and produce judokas that will represent the country in the next Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Meanwhile, the federation will later this month hold the 2017 edition of Governor Yahaya Bello Under-17 Zonal Championship holding from 28 – 30 September at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, Kogi State.