16th September, 2011
Executive Member of Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Professor Alexander De-Souza, has promised that his federation will bring back smile on the faces of Nigerians as Team Nigeria’s Judokas are poised to win gold medals to increase the country’s medal haul at the ongoing All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.
Speaking with P.M Sports yesterday, De -Souza said the federation will strive to bring glory to the country through the judokas exploits in Maputo.
The International Judo Federation, IJF, Grade-A Referee said: “We will do our best to make sure we surpass our achievement in Algiers 2007..â€
General Secretary of the federation,Yemi Usikaye, said they have done a lot to make sure the judokas excel at the Games.
He cited long camping period and handsome camp allowances as some of the measures taken to motivate the judokas to put up good performance at the Games.
“I am looking forward to our judokas winning more gold medals this time around.
“We cannot afford to let the country down as Nigerians are banking on us to restore the hope of the country at the Games.
Some of the events we have banked on for gold medals did not meet our expectations,â€he said.
Usikaye thanked the National Sports Commission,NSC, for their support throughout their camping for the Games in Kaduna.
Team Nigeria’s judokas will commence their medal hunt today as the Judo event starts after 12-days of hostilities at the African Olympics.
Nigeria will be represented by a full team in the event with seven men and seven women competing for honours in 14 different categories.
Team Nigeria are determined to win gold medals at this year’s Games, as they struggled to win only two silver and three bronze medals at Algiers 2007.
—Bamidele Olowosagba