Lagos – Ameachi Akawo, the Secretary, Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), says lack of funds to organise competitions has affected the game negatively in the country.
Akawo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there had not been any competition for players and technical courses for officials since the beginning of the year.
He said that the skills of the players could not be tested if there were no competitions.
“We were expectant that we would have series of programmes for the players and officials this year, but I am sad that all through the first quarter of the year, nothing was done.
“We should endeavour to hold at least one championship and training course in every quarter to keep the sport alive.
“The significant way of motivating players to be consistent is by staging competitions to exhibit their skills and we (officials) will evaluate them,’’ he said.
Akawo said that the situation of the sport in the states was worse, and there was the need for awareness on Judo at the grassroots.
According to him, organising quarterly competitions in the states will help grow the game.
“Competition is a facilitating forum that can bring our upcoming athletes together. It is meant to help them interact with one another like one big family,’’ he said.
He recommended that corrective measures should be adopted in the remaining quarters to make up for lost time. (NAN)
