Ahead the National Sports Festival (NSF) the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) will soon organize a seminar to update state coaches and top athletes with the new rules of the games so that they will equally impart it to their athletes.
Speaking in Ibadan, President of the Federation, Dr Musa Oshodi stated that four high ranking judo coaches will gather together to review the new rules of the games with a view to impart it to the coaches who let cascade down to the athletes who will begin to use during matches.
Dr Oshodi explained that it was imperative that the seminar be done in order for the athletes or judokas to be conversant with the rules so that it will not be strange to them whenever they come across it adding the rules were introduced by the International Judo Federation (IJF) who will not hesitate to sanction any judoka who violates the rules due to ignorance.
He pointed out it was important that both the coaches and judokas get acquainted with the rules because they will be used during the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) and subsequently at international judo games as using the rules will enable judokas to be conversant with the rules.
The Judo boss said that towards the success of the the seminar where so much funds will be expended, sponsors are being engaged to ensure an hitch free program at the end of the day.
He noted that towards a sound officiating at the NSF which has been slated for August, 2025 in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, all states coaches and top athletes will undergo the seminar so as to be abreast of the rules.
Dr Oshodi said further that the games are not entirely new but a refurbished part of the IJF rules which have been repackaged for the good and success of judo games in the world.
He revealed that the Federation has also acquired judo gadgets and equipment which they want to introduce to the states coaches and top athletes adding that the body also prays that the states are able to acquire judo mats which will put them in a good stead for the forthcoming games.
The President stressed that when the states are able to purchase judo mats, the federation is good to go because it means the entire NJF spectrum is ready for any competition whether local or international.
