Mouktar Hails FCT Judo for Grassroot Growth

The grand patron of FCT Judo Association, Alhaji Adam Mohammed Mouktar, is advocating for the development of all grassroots sports, expressing his belief that it forms the foundation for continental and international success in the world of sports.

Alhaji Mouktar, known for his grassroots development programs, made this statement on Saturday, April 12, 2024, during the FCT Grassroots Junior Judo Championship held at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.

Participants from states within the North Central zone, such as Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Kwara, and the host city FCT, converged in Nigeria’s capital city for the one-day tournament.

The grand patron who is also the FCT FA Chairman, stated that the event celebrates discipline and the immense potential of young individuals to showcase their abilities.

He further emphasized that Nigeria possesses abundant talent, and investing in sports like judo is an investment in the nation’s future.

“This event is not like a competition. It is a celebration of discipline, respect, courage, and the boundless potential of our young youth to show what they possess.

Judo teaches more than self-discipline. It builds character. It fosters unity. Our investment in grassroots sports development like judo is an investment in the future of Nigeria.

Nigeria is full of talent, and for us to do well in continental, intercontinental, tournaments like the Olympics, we must start from the grassroots. That is, the untouched areas that have been left by themselves. Bringing them together, you will discover new talents, you give them hope, and then it will promote other sports in totality.”

Also speaking on the event and the rationale behind hosting the junior Judo Championship in Abuja, the secretary of Hand 2 Hand, Hulda Nkwocha, explained that the need to expose Nigerians to sports beyond the conventional ones like football was the driving force.

“We want other sport to be exposed, like football, athletics. Judo is not popular in Nigeria. That’s why I’ve decided to choose this this time around.”

Meanwhile, the technical director of Nigeria Judo Federation, Amos Iliya who was impressed by the performance of the young judoka’s confirmed that plans to improve the skills of the practitioners after the tournament is in progress.

“Their performance are good. I’m happy. Our purpose of coming is to raise the grassroots. Fortunately for us, we have somebody that is doing it, even on our behalf. The Federation have planned for grassroots judokas. It’s part of our plan, and we are going to invite some of them to National Camp. We are organizing a clinic. It’s not everything that their coaches can do. But when the Federation come in, we have better coaches that can handle them very well.”

The FCT Grassroots Junior Judo Championship featured judokas competing in various weight categories, with the girls participating in the 28kg, 32kg, and 36kg divisions, while the boys competed in the 30kg, 35kg, and 40kg divisions.

In the 32kg girls’ category, which featured only two judokas, Elisha Emmanuella of FCT emerged victorious against Uche Ngozi from Nasarawa. In the 36kg girls’ category, Naanfun Precious from Nasarawa won gold after a strong performance against Peculiar Adedapo from Kogi, while Ojukotola Ayomide of FCT and Ibrahim Aisha of Nigeria secured bronze 1 and 2, respectively.

Also, In the boys’ 30kg category, Emmanuel Effiong of FCT and Sadiq Umar of Niger won gold and silver, respectively, while Abraham Reuben from Nasarawa won bronze 1, and Lekan Bamidele of Kwara received the bronze 2 medal. In the 35kg boys’ category, Nasarawa’s Hamsuk Jude scored an Ippon against Abdullahi Sadik of Niger to win gold, with Alayo Mubarak (Plateau) and Eza Uchenna (FCT) taking bronze 1 and 2, respectively.

The finals of the 40kg boys’ category saw Joshua Kayode of Kogi win gold after an ippon against Nasarawa’s Adeson Emmanuel, while Godswill Emmanuel (Kwara) and Ebube Innocent (FCT) won bronze 1 and 2, respectively.

Nasarawa State emerged as the overall winner of the one-day tournament, clinching a total of six medals, including three gold, two silver, and one bronze. Host team FCT finished second with two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, while Team Kogi secured third place with one gold and one silver medal.

Judokas who won gold medals received a prize money of 30,000 naira, while silver medalists received 20,000 naira, and both bronze 1 and bronze 2 medalists each received 10,000 naira.