Sports Federation Elections 2021: History Beckons Oshodi In Judo

IKPO IGBINOBA 

With forty-eight hours to the federation elections, stakeholders’ choice for the Presidency of the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Dr. Musa Oshodi looks set to make history.

The chairman of the Oyo State Judo Association, who has scaled the South West zonal hurdle by thoroughly thrashing Mr. Bolaji Yusuf 6-0 will emerge the first judoka to head the NJF since it was founded in 1973.

As at the time of filing this report, Oshodi, former vice president of the NJF remains the clearcut favourite to win the election scheduled for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday.

Based on pre-elections endorsements which he received from all segments of the judo community, those who wager on Oshodi will certainly reap a bounty.

With his victory, Nigeria will finally join the rest of the world in complying with the statutes of the Africa Judo Union, AJU and the International Judo Federation, IJF which insist that only judokas should head national judo federations.

Up until now, Nigeria is the only country in the world that has stubbornly refused to comply with that condition. 

Unfortunately, the country has paid dearly for refusing to comply with international rules.

Nigeria has remained minnows in the international politics of the sport which is the reason why no Nigerian has ever been elected into the executive board of the AJU and the IJF. 

Interestingly, Oshodi, long before throwing his hat into the ring to jostle for the top job had been clamouring for Nigeria to join the rest of the world in playing by the international rules.

While unveiling, his vision for Nigeria judo during a media chat, Oshodi said he was sad that candidates in the AJU elections from tiny Mauritius and Chad could come to campaign in Nigeria.

“Can you imagine, candidates from Mauritius and Chad who were contesting in the AJU elections came to us here in Nigeria to seek our vote, yet with our size, resources and talents, we didn’t have one of our own contesting in the elections”

“Why? We have not done the right thing”.

Oshodi maintained that once the right leadership is enthroned, Nigeria will take her rightful place on the continent and in the world.

With four decades plus years as a judoka, coach, administrator and sponsor, Oshodi is eminently qualified to take Nigeria judo to the comity of nations where they play by international rules.