Over 200 judokas from over 30 states and clubs are expected to compete in the maiden edition of the National Under-17 Judo Championship billed for Abuja.
The championship which will commence on Thursday, September 11 will end on Saturday, September 13. Some of the states which are expected at the event include Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Edo, Kano, Ogun and Kwara.
Others include Delta, Anambra, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Jigawa. Winners at the championship will represent Nigeria at the World U-17 Judo Championship.
Vice President of the federation, Alhaji Damisa Sulaiman said many states were excited about the championship because of its developmental nature.
According to him “This is the very first time we are having a championship of this nature which is strictly developmental”.
“Any state keen on developing its judo must take this championship seriously and focus on the junior judokas in their programmes” Sulaiman added.
The championship will feature male and female judokas.
The Vice president appealed to states to field judokas who are within the age range so as not to defeat the purpose of the championship.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State team to the championship is raised from the Adopt A Talent programme, an initiative by sports-loving governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.
Head Judo coach, Mrs. Janet Omorodion said all the members of the championship -bound team were chosen from Adopt-A-Talent programme.
