Lagos Judo Association seeks Japan’s partnership for growth

Lagos State Judo Association (LSJA) has approached the Japanese government for technical and material support to grow the sport.

Judo is a modern Japanese martial art, which has since evolved into an Olympics event. It was created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, as a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy and according to LSJA Chairman, Sheriff Hammed, a partnership with the sport’s owners would help to grow judo in Lagos.

Speaking after leading LSJA on a courtesy visit to the Japanese Embassy in Abuja, Hammed said the team was excited with the reception by the Japanese team led by its secretary, Nakayoshi Nami.

“We went to the owner of the sport with the sole aim of getting their needed support, both technically and materially. Again, we used the visit to foster Lagos and the Japanese government relationship. We were well received while the mission promised to support LSJA having followed all our programmes in the last three months. We hope and believe this visit would surely change the fortune of judo in Lagos and Nigeria in general,” Hammed said.

In her remarks, Nami commended LSJA for its efforts in the last three months, while acknowledging that the mission has been following the efforts being made by the association with the staging of several impactful programmes that could grow judo in Nigeria.

She, however, promised that the mission would assist LSJA, while charging the association to continue to work hard to unearth talents. She acknowledged that Nigeria is blessed with talents in all sports, especially judo.

She also assured that the Japanese government would help LSJA in their forthcoming seminar cum clinic for physical education teachers in schools.