adminCollin Matiza Sports Editor
THE Judo Association of Zimbabwe yesterday officially launched judo for the visually impaired by hosting a two-day coaching seminar which is being graced by three top judo instructors from Japan at Rolf Valley Gym in Harare.
Smart Deke, president of the Judo Association of Zimbabwe, said the two-day seminar, which ends today, is all part of their efforts to promote the sport in this country with one of their focus areas this year being the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Deke told The Herald that they were looking at equipping their coaches with the right skills before they can embark on a programme that will see them promoting the involvement of the visually impaired into the sport.
“This programme is being run by three international experts from Japan. We are going to focus on all schools for the blind because judo is trying to accommodate everyone in the coming 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. So we are now going around the country to promote judo for everyone,” Deke said.
This week’s two-day seminar is being conducted by International Judo Federation members from Japan — Kenichi Shoshida, Sensei Kubota and Maho Harada, the secretary-general for Sports for Tomorrow – and apart from a number of local coaches, it has also attracted three participants from Zambia and one each from Malawi and South Africa.
The three participants from Zambia are Mabvuto N’guni, who is the secretary-general of Judo Zambia, Humphrey Nyirenda and Malambo Malambo while Frank Msoliza and Sondisa Magajana are representing Malawi and South Africa respectively.
Online Reporter