1st March, 2012
President of the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Issa Matori, has expressed dissatisfaction over the exclusion of Judo as one of Team Nigeria’s sports at the London 2012 Olympics.
The National Sports Commission, NSC, dropped Judo from the Olympics with the excuse that the country will only compete in sports that have better chances of winning medals at the Games.
Matori appealed to the NSC to reconsider its stance as the country’s judokas are looking forward to featuring at the London Games.
He said: “We have already secured two Olympic slots and hopefully, we should be able to get more slots in the African qualifiers taking place in Morocco in April.”
Matori, however, expressed the belief that the federation could still convince the NSC that Judo has chances of winning medals at the world championship.
“We are not giving up yet because as long as we still have a chance to win more tickets at the qualifier, there is still chances for us to be at the Olympics.
“I want to assure Nigerians of our readiness and willingness to book more slots for the London Olympics. We got two slots late last year and we want to get two more slots in Morocco,” he said.
He noted that the athletes are ready to put in their best anytime they are called upon to represent the country.
“Our judokas’ commitment and dedication are worthy of emulation for other athletes in the country. Everybody is looking for a way to represent the nation at the London Games,” he said.
—Bamidele Olowosagba