Timothy Nsirim, President of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), has called for calm as the board was set to hit the ground running with its national championship scheduled to hold May.
The federation’s Media Officer, Phemmy Adetula said on Saturday that the body had takern delivery of new equipment donated by the International Judo Federation to aid the sport’s development.
It said the equipment comprising 162 mats and cartons of Jodogis for all cadres was facilitated by the NJF President who restated his plans to revive judo with the support of all the stakeholders.
According to him, screens and projectors imported from China by Nsirim for officiating and technical use are also inspected by the board while complementary equipment and devices are available.
“I want to plead with all Judokas in the country, to be calm so that we can move the sport forward.
“This is the first time in over 15 years that we are having this kind of opportunity, more are coming if we are at peace.
“If we are not at peace, we will not attain the needed height as a federation and that is why at the resolution of the board, I agreed with the choice of our new technical director.
“I accepted whatever decisions the board has taken and I want everybody to see it as a call for duty, a call to serve,” he quoted Nsirim as saying in a statement.
The statement said that Nsirim wanted all judokas wherever they might be to be invited for the National Open Championships.
“It will be an all comers event, a very strong championships and it will be sponsored by the federation, myself and the executive Governor of Rivers, Gov. Nyesom Wike.
“We will make it great championships and all of us will be here, Rivers sports commissioner, the state’s sports commission, all will be involved.”
It added that Ewa Ekuta, a current IJF Grade A licenced referee had been appointed the technical director of the federation by the board.
Nsirim was re -elected president of the federation in 2017. (NAN)
