Police Flavour Oshodi Foundation National Open Judo Championship

IKPO IGBINOBA 

Though the Police were not at the commanding height of the medal table at the National Open Judo Championship, they still made a mark. 

The team which exhibited a high level of discipline throughout the two-day championship left Ibadan with their heads held high.

With a gold, two silver and two bronze, the Police team finished a respectable third position on the table. 

The Police heroes in Ibadan were Nelson Ajearo who won gold in the -100kg category, Ibrahim Abubakar and David Joseph both who won silver in -81 kg and +100kg respectively. 

The bronze medalists were Blessing Ikoligwe (-78 kg) and Blessing Ude(-70kg) 

Like every team going for a competition, the dream of the Police team was to emerge tops.

They didn’t just dream, they prepared to translate the dream into reality. Unfortunately, their efforts on the mats could not see them achieve the objective.

However, the Police were not crestfallen.

Vice chair of the Nigeria Police Judo Association, NPJA, Adi Tamaranbideke, a deputy superintendent of police, DSP said in a chat with judoblitzng.com that the police team gave a good account of itself.

She noted “We did well in this championship, though we didn’t top the table. 

“Out of 32 teams on the medals table we placed third position. That’s a nice position”.

Adi, a former national champion who has represented Nigeria said the Ibadan championship was not only about winning medals but also garnering experience and learning lessons.

According to her “This championship apart from winning or not winning offered us a huge opportunity to get some experience and learn. 

“And I am happy to say that we learnt a lot”.

Adi revealed that the Police team would go back home and review their performance.

“We will go back to base and review all aspects of the championship with emphasis on our performance”.

“And by the time we are through with the post mortem of the championship, I am confident that we will do better in future engagements”.

She said her confidence that the police team would rule Nigeria judo in the nearest future is anchored on the massive support the team enjoys from the authorities.

“We have every reason to be confident that we’ll dominate Nigeria Judo soon. “First, we have the judokas and more important we enjoy maximum support from the Police authorities.”

Adi said the secret behind the Police achievements in Ibadan was the support of her bosses. 

She showered praises on her immediate boss, Mr. Tunji Disu who is the chairman of the NPJA.

“Our boss, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Tunji Disu and chairman of the NPJA has always been a great mentor, motivator to the judo team. 

“In fact, he has been the heart and soul of our team”

“During this championship, DCP Disu who was a star judoka and national champion in his active days made sure that we didn’t lack anything”.

“He responded to our every request promptly and was on hand to cheer the judokas to victory.

“If there’s any individual who should take credit for our achievement in Ibadan, that individual is DCP Tunji Disu”.

The vice chair also named Mr. Patrick Ateyero, a deputy commissioner of police who is the Force Sports Officer in the Nigeria Police and the Force Sports Secretary, Mr. Shammang Kalat, a chief superintendent of police as two individuals who contributed immensely to their successful outing.

The Police team left Ibadan not only with their heads held high, but with the big dream of ruling Nigeria judo sooner rather than later.

And who really can deny them the right to have that big dream?

Nobody, because the Police introduced judo to Nigeria. 

For those who don’t know the story, in 1971, three policemen, Sabitu Giwa, Alex Dauda and David Macham were taken to Japan by the Japanese government. 

For two years and six months, the trio studied judo.

They returned to Nigeria in 1973 and planted the mustard seed of judo which has today blossomed into a giant oak.

Adi is aware of this history and she said with infectious enthusiasm “We, the Police brought judo into this country and we will reassert our authority in the sport because judo is our sport”.