Oshodi predicts brighter future for judo in Nigeria

As part of activities marking this year’s World Judo day, the zonal representative, Nigeria Judo Federation, South West, Dr Musa Oshodi has predicted a brighter future for judo in Nigeria.
He made the remarks while speaking after a road walk staged in Ibadan, along with the Oyo State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Abayomi Oke, Zonal Co-ordinator, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr Steve Olarinoye and other coaches from the south west states.
Oshodi said efforts wouldbe intensified to move the game forward in Nigeria, more so that judo is an Olympic sport.
“We need the help of all stakeholders to develop the game because we can’t depend only on the administrators, athletes, coaches, umpires and sponsors; all of us have a role to play to make judo grow in the country.
“If all stakeholders see it as responsibilities, I believe in the next two years, Judo in Nigeria will be one of the best on the continent. I want to assure you that with the plan we have on the ground, we will gain more patronage.
“If you look at the last Paralympic Games in Rio, judo event was featured for the first time and that is telling us we have to step up preparations to produce judokas who will make the next Paralympics.
“I am happy that starting from my zone, Oyo State is the only state in Nigeria that has a special judo athlete for now, Seyi Arinoye. We want to ensure that the game spreads across the zone,” Oshodi added.
In his remarks, Oke said the Ministry of Sports would in due course introduce other games to schools from the primary level.
“Judo is a self-disciplined sport that needs to be promoted particularly at this era of truancy and indiscipline among our youths.
“We concentrate more on football in Nigeria and part of the directives given to me by Governor Abiola Ajimobi is that we must develop other sports as well rather than focus on football alone,” Oke said.
Meanwhile, Olarinoye has lauded the effort of the NJF South-West representative at promoting judo in the country.
He said “This is a day set aside to mark the existence of Judo in the world and also to commemorate the birthdayof the founder of Judo in the world, Japanese Kano Jigoro and I am so happy that is happening in my zone.”