Praise for Judo team

By Tony Anelka

KENYA: The General Secretary of Kenya Judo Association and East Africa Judo Union Shadrack Maluki has praised the Japanese government for its continued support of the sport in the country.

Maluki was speaking after an introductory course to new Judo recruits conducted by Japanese coach Sojiro Mino at GSU Embakasi.

The former Olympian revealed that Japan seconded Mino to GSU Judo club through Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Maluki called on Japan to also second coaches to Kenya Prison Services and Kenya Police Academy in Kiganjo.

“Japan have been and continue to be important partners of Kenya Judo. We will not take for granted their contribution this far. We would like them also to extend the same help to Kenya Police and Prison services. They have two blue belts,12 green belts and four yellow belts. These are beginners and also officers at the General Service Unit ,” Maluki said.

Maluki, who represented Kenya in Judo at Seoul Olympics in 1988 said time had come to put aside divisive politics and concentrate on developing talent.

“We have what it takes to play this game at the highest level but we have not given youth a chance, “ Maluki said.

Kenya Judo Association is preparing for a tournament in two weeks time, which will be used to select a team for the East Africa Judo competition to be held in Nairobi in April.