11 States, 8 Clubs Set for 1st Governor Alex Otti National Senior Judo Championship in Umuahia.
The four-day championship, organised by the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) in collaboration with the Abia State Government, will hold at the Umuahia Township Stadium from today, November 2 to November 5.
A total of 14 weight categories will be contested, with the top three athletes in each category receiving prize money of ₦250,000, ₦150,000 and ₦100,000 respectively.
The tournament is also expected to serve as a platform for reviving the fortunes of judo across Nigeria.
According to the Acting Technical Director of the NJF, Sule Musa, the competition represents more than a contest for medals, as it will serve as a rallying point for athletes, officials and stakeholders committed to rebuilding the sport. Competitors will contest seven weight categories each in the men’s and women’s divisions. The men’s events are -60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg and +100kg, while the women’s categories are -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, -78kg and +78kg. The tournament has received endorsement from former African Games champion and Olympian Katherine Ewa, who described it as a major boost for athletes and the development of judo in Nigeria.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with THISDAY.