NAN-S-7
Judo
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, June 14, 2017 (NAN) Catherine Ewa- Ekuta, a Judo coach has advised the new board of the Nigeria Judo Federation to give adequate attention to the development of sports at the grassroots.
Ewa-Ekuta, who is with the Akwa Ibom Government, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
She said repositioning the sport should be the major focus rather than just qualifying the country for the 2020 Olympic Judo event.
Cue in audio (Ewa-Ekuta)
“I’m an Olympian and going to the Olympics was not really fun for me because there were things I lacked as an athlete.
“So right now, for us not to feature in the Olympics shows that we are lacking a lot of things.
“It has gotten to a stage in Judo that where you don’t have adequate competitions to qualify and get points, you cannot qualify for Olympics.
“So, developing the sport is not something that we can do individually; it’s something that the government and private organisations need to work closely to achieve.
“They have to come in and support Judo because right now you have to attend grand slams and grand prix; they’ve set up so many agenda, all of which you have to pass through get to the Olympics.
“And in Nigeria we don’t have such exposure; we don’t have the financial wherewithal.
“So I think us not going to the Olympics has put us in an advantaged position to know that we are lacking in some aspects of the game.
“So, Olympics should not be our target now; our target now should be how to qualify for the Olympics, not just qualify but go there and create an impact.’’
Cue out audio
The 2013 All Africa Games gold medallist urged stakeholders to support
the new board of the federation.
NAN reports that Timothy Nisirim was re-elected to steer the affairs
of body. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/YEE
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Emmanuel Yashim
===================================