…Judo Federation Board Member Madugba Nnanyereugo Promises National Edition

More than 20 judoka from different states in the country recently took part in a five-day KATAs seminar organised by the South East Zonal Representative and board member of Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Mr Madugba Nnanyereugo in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Judo Association in Ikeja, Lagos.

The KATAs seminar, which was the maiden edition of the programme, saw high profile judo players past and present as well as administrators and young judokas in the game grace the event.

Addressing the participants during the seminar, Mr Nnanyereugo who is the founder of Numzy Judo Club said the seminar became imperative because of the need to capture the young judokas at early stage and properly streamline them into the game.

He explained why KATAs as a judo technique is important in the sport especially to the younger judokas

“The performance of KATAs has many fitness benefits. It helps students to lose weight given the significant calorie expenditure achieved during training. It may also improve a student’s muscular strength and muscle tone.

“Moreover, the conditioning required to perform numerous katas sessions also improves a student’s stamina and energy. KATAs can improve a person’s balance because they need to learn and practice different stances and kicking positions

“KATAs also increases mental alertness, making the judoka physically strong and help in building self defense,” he said.

Highlights of the seminar which had Edokpolor Judo Academy as Facilitors were presentation of awards to deserving members of the Nigeria Police Judo Association for their immense contribution to the development of the sport as well as certificates of participation to the participants

Members of the Nigeria Police Judokas and other judokas from other states were part of the seminar which Mr Nnanyereugo said would be an annual seminar.

He told our correspondent in Lagos that he plans to host a national edition of the seminar next year.

“This is the first edition which was held in Lagos with the collaboration of Nigeria Police. The plan going forward is to organise a national seminar next year. This is critical in the formative age of every judoka which is in line with the NJF’s derive to take judo to the grassroots.”

The five-day seminar was held from 28 August to 1st September, 2023.