National Judo Open Begins With Refresher’s Course For Coaches In Ibadan

AFEEZ AYO YUSUF

The National Senior Open Judo Championship began in Ibadan, Oyo State, southwest Nigeria from Wednesday with a Refresher’s (Technical) Course with Nigerian judo coaches.

The course, which is holding between Wednesday and Thursday this week, veteran coach Edokpolor Ihaza and Bashir Musa as resource persons to conduct the two-day seminar that would precede the championship organized by Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) in conjunction with Oshodi Judo Foundation (OJF) at the Indoor Sports Hall of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Liberty Stadium in Ibadan..

No fewer than 22 coaches across the federation were in attendance on Day One from 11 states and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Navy, while many more coaches are being expected.

There is excitement in the participating coaches who saw their participation in the seminar as an opportunity for them to learn from the veterans in the sport, and more importantly to expose themselves to modern trends in the game.

Head Coach Ihaza described the refresher’s course as “the best thing to happen to judo in recent time. There is no doubt that what is happening in Ibadan today will catapult Nigerian judo to the world. All coaches taking part in this course are black belters. I am so happy that this will boost the game in the country and beyond.”

Ahead of the National Open, which begins on Friday, judokas from Kano, Plateau, the Police and NSCDC are already on ground. Friday is the arrival day for the athletes, while the tournament holds on Saturday and Sunday.