Prince Timothy Nsirim
President of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), Prince Timothy Nsirim has assured states’ athletes and officials that the federation would host the national championship as scheduled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in May.
A statement by NJF’s Media and Communications Director, Phemmy Adetula revealed that the Federation recently took delivery of new equipment donated by the International Judo Federation to aid the development of the sport in Nigeria. He said the equipment, comprising 162 mats and cartons of Jodogis for all cadres, was facilitated by Prince Nsirim, who restated plans to revive judo with support of all the stakeholders.
He added that screens and projectors imported from China by the NJF president for officiating and technical use were also inspected by the board, while additional complementary equipment and devices would soon be procured by the federation.
“I want to plead with all Judokas in the country, let us be calm so that we can move the sport forward. This is the first time in over 15 years that we had 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,” Prince Nsirim said.On the forthcoming championship, Prince Nsirim said all judokas wherever they are will be invited for the National Open championship in Port Harcourt in May.
“It will be an all comers event, a very strong championship and it will be sponsored by the Federation, myself and the executive governor of Rivers state, Mr. Nyesom Wike. We will make it a great championship and all of us will be here… Rivers State sports commissioner and the state’s sports commission, all will be involved,” said Prince Nsirim.
Also speaking at the event, aboard member, Professor Johnson Okpakor eulogised Prince Nsirim for his personal efforts and commitment to take Judo to a new height.
“If we have people like Prince Nsirim running sports federations, Nigeria will move forward and I pray that during him tenure, the sport will return to its glory days,” said Okpakor.
As part of the board’s resolution at the end of their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr. Ewa Ekuta Olom, a current IJF A-licenced referee was appointed the technical director of the federation.
Source: G Sport
