Athletes rep lauds NSCDC boss over plan to revive judo

Segun Gbayi, the Athletes Representative in the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), on Monday extolled Dr Ade Abolurin, Commandant-General, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for his plans at reviving the sport.

Gbayi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Lagos that Abolurin’s efforts would ensure the development of the federation.

“We are happy about the development, because we only wrote to him on one occasion and he responded positively to our request that he should be our patron.

“He has also agreed to sponsor an annual Ade Abolurin Judo Championship, which will bring development to the dwindling fortunes of the sport.

“He is a leader that has shown on many occasions his passion to invest in sports, hence we are delighted to have him on the board,’’ Gbayi said.

He said that Judokas have been calling for the sponsorship of the sport, to enhance its development and the staging of more tournaments.

Gbayi observed that Dr Abolurin would use his position to attract many meaningful sponsors like corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to sponsor judo tournaments.

“There is an urgent need to appreciate and boost judo in the country. In countries like Japan and Israel, the sport is taught in schools.

“There is also the need to tackle the lukewarm attitude towards judo; therefore, as a well respected man, he (Abolurin) will be able to call all stakeholders together for a better understanding.

“Judo as a sport enhances the physical and mental well-being of those involved in the art.

“As a patron, he will turn judo around in Nigeria into an admirable sport, which will be enterprising, results-oriented and most importantly, be able to compete with other sports in the international arena.
 

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