By Jude Agbeyeke
The South-South Zone has the potentials to dominate Judo in Nigeria as the zone had consistently shown a strong will to improve on its performances.
The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission Mr. Onoriode Oborevwori stated this while declaring open a two day Coaches and Referees Seminar which held at thee Steven Keshi International Stadium Asaba.
Mr Oborevwori said the zone had been the dominant zone in Nigerian Judo and had remained consistent in its quest to sustain its stranglehold especially with the first of its kind seminar to train Coaches and referees on the latest rules of the International Judo Federation.
The Executive Chairman however assured the Delta State Judo Association and other associations in the state sports commission of his support saying he was willing to support ideas and innovations that would enhance the performances of Delta Athletes at National events.
He called on other associations under the State Sport Commission to emulate the Delta State Judo Association and Ekus Judo Club for partnering to train the referees and coaches on the new rules which would enhance the athletes performances when they take on their opponent s in National and International events.
The Head of Ekus Judo Club Coach Osahon Eke who is also a Coach with the Delta State Judo Association in his welcome address thanked the Chairman of the State Sports Commission Mr. Oborevwori, the Director General of the State Sports Commission, Mr Festus Ohwojero and the management of the commission for their support saying the 2 dy seminar was to bring the coaches and referees in the zone abreast with the new rules of the International Judo Federation.
Coach Eke said the seminar would also help for better officiating while the Judo players would be better equipped with the modern trends in International Judo.
Some of the Resources persons, Coaches and referees including the Head Coach Delta State Judo Association, Mrs Evelyn Efemene, her Edo State counterpart, Sensei Joachim Esezobor and one of the resource persons Sensei Godspower Geoffrey who is the Deputy Director of Sports at the University of Port Harcourt averred that the new rules will help in preparing the Judo players for National and International events.
Others who spoke including Sensei Nomu Amoro from Rivers State Sensei Roseline Roy Uribhabor an Assistant Coach from Edo State and her Bayelsa State counterpart Sensei Dzisah Promise Junior, said the two day seminar for coaches and referees from the region would give the South-South zone edge over other zones in the country.
They lauded Coach Eke for the initiative to bring members from the zone together toward enhancing the knowledge of Judo in the South-South.