Government challenges coaches to qualify athletes to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development Director of Sport Bessie Chelemu, has challenged over 20 coaches’ currently taking part in the 2019 International Judo Federation Coaching Academy to use the knowledge they will acquire to impart on athletes who will qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Speaking during the official opening of the IJF Coaching Academy yesterday currently taking place at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) Chelemu, noted with happiness that the International Judo Federation has continued to pick Zambia as host nation of such courses from the time the Judo Hall (Dojo) was constructed at the OYDC.
She disclosed that her ministry is currently working with the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) to ensure that coaches undergo various training not only in judo but other sports disciplines.
Speaking earlier National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) president Alfred Foloko, who is also Zambia Judo President said his association continues to collaborate with the International Judo Federation to host courses like the “IJF Level 1 Coaching course”. He added that the training is being conducted by IJF experts stating that the number of those participating is impressive and likely to see the sport of judo grow in Africa.
Meanwhile, International Judo Federation (IJF) Executive Member Daniel Lascau, who is also IJF Sports Director said the federation is happy to note that the government of Zambia is supporting judo adding that it will be good to see a number of athletes from judo qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and using the knowledge that could have been imparted by coaches who are currently undergoing training at the OYDC.
The opening ceremony was attended by National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Executive Director Brenda Chipande, OYDC Deputy Director Sombwa Musunsa, Zambia Judo Association (ZJA) members and other invited guests. The training which started on Monday 3rd June, 2019 will run upto 8 June, 2019.
Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius, Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia are some of the countries which have sent coaches to undergo training.
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