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A UK-based sports foundation, King Timmy Judo and Sambo Sports Foundation, in collaboration with Osun State Sports Council, are set to stage a clinic in Judo and Sambo to update the knowledge of athletes ahead of major tournaments.
Sambo is an offshoot of judo, jujutsu, boxing, and folk wrestling and is currently recognised by the International Olympic Committee although it is yet to be listed for demonstration at the Olympics.
Participants from Lagos, Ogun and other states have registered for the clinic which will take place from Friday, August 16 to 18 at Oyan Town Hall, in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
The convener of the clinic, Rotimi Okeniyi is a former NUGA and African champion before adding three British titles to his name after moving to the UK.
According to him, the clinic is the first step to inspire Judo and Sambo athletes in Nigeria to reach for the stars at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“We decided to organise this event to popularise the sport and also assist the southwest states with training equipment which I have been doing for years now and part of the plans is to build one of the best training facilities in Nigeria and the southwest. Osun being my state, I also want Sambo to be popular in the state as well,” Okeniyi said.
Vice President of the Sambo Association of Nigeria Sheriff Hammed said the initiative would help to galvanise interest in Sambo following the successful outing of the country at the 2023 African Games in Ghana and the 2024 African Championships in Egypt.
“I am excited about this kind of initiative as Okeniyi and his team decided to improve the fortune of the sport with the clinic. This is what should be supported by all and sundry because our athletes must know the rules of the sports as well as update their knowledge to be able to compete with their counterparts in major competitions. This is commendable and we must support it because they are also going to give out the latest equipment to the participants,” Hammed said.
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