LAGOS – Obed Ogunedo, the Head Coach, Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), on Wednesday said that training of technical officials was crucial for the development of the sport in the country.
Ogunedo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the federation should as a matter of urgency conduct workshops and seminars for its coaches and referees.
He said that the growth and popularity of the sport was tied to the improved technical competence of the handlers of the game.
“Judo requires more attention. Technical officials need training because training and re-training of technical officials are important aspects in the development of the sport.
“Regular seminars, workshops and refresher courses within and outside the country have the potential of transforming the sport.
“With regular training, coaches and referees will be well-grounded in the modern rules governing the sport,’’ he said. [eap_ad_2] Ogunedo said that the rules of the game keeps changing, and that it was through regular seminars that practitioners could update their knowledge.
He also canvassed for regular grassroots competitions and national tournaments to assist in the discovery of talents.
“There is need for competitions right from the grassroots to the national level because it is through competitions that referees and coaches can put into practice what they learn.
“Also competitions will help to discover and build talents that can represent the country at international championships,’’ Ogunedo said.
He noted that the country’s failure to participate in many local and international meets was due to poor funding and lack of sponsorship.
Ogunedo appealed to the federation to do more to attract sponsors in order to make the national team to take part in invitational and major tournaments. (NAN)
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