BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
President of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), Dr. Musa Oshodi is optimistic that judokas going to the All African Games in Ghana would not go to the tournament to make number.
The judokas team are of five men and five women and will be accompanied by two trainers in the Games holding from March 8-23, 2024.
Dr. Oshodi, an aficionado in judo believes what happened in the last Games where no judo medal for Team Nigeria will not happen at the Games in Ghana, adding that “Judo did not win a medal at the 2019 African Games in Morocco, we don’t want that to happen again.
“I am optimistic and the group of judokas who will travel to Ghana know what is at stake, and will not disappoint Nigerians.
“The team consists of national champions and experienced judokas who are ready to make Nigeria proud.”Judo will not return home empty-handed.
“The athletes know what is at stake because this year will be a testing ground for the various African championships.”
The judo team were camped at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) inside the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos and they were beaming in his spirit before the left for Accra on Tuesday.
Two-time African Games bronze medalist Franca Audu (-52kg) and 2021 African champion Enku Ewa (-63kg) lead the women’s team.
Others are Amara Udeze (-57 kg), Adijat Azeez (-78 kg) and Sara Umar (+78 kg).The male judokas are: Michael Agbo (-60kg), Kehinde Aremu (-66kg), Taiwo Aremu (-73kg), Ibrahim Abdullahi (-81kg) and Damini Micha (-90kg) while the coaches are: Oluwatoyin Ojo and Christy Aremu.