Govt pledges Sh10m to Judo association for talent development

The Ministry of Sports has pledged Sh 10 million to the Kenya Judo Association (KJA) for development of the sport,  as a result of their outstanding performance at the recently concluded second edition of the Eastern Africa Cadet and Junior Judo Championships which was held in Nairobi from December 1-2.

Speaking at the Ministry’s headquarters on Monday, Principal Secretary, Ambassador Kirimi Kaberia was hopeful that the association will put the monies into good use to ensure that more athletes are fielded in future  international events.

The PS, at the same time, expressed his delight at Team Kenya for bagging 54 medals; 16 gold, 16 silver and 22 bronze, to dethrone defending champions Burundi.

Among the stars of the competition who caught the eye of Kaberia are two 11 year old girls; Amina Katana and Hawaa Abdalla who fought each other in the under 40kgs category to win  gold and silver respectively.

“If we can keep providing the infrastructure, we are going to give you what the previous generation did not have. God has blessed you with talent and if we (the Ministry) provide what is needed we will be able to march even the world’s best.”

He went on : “You are such a wonderful team to represent the country… The sports men and women are the real image of this country because they fly our Kenyan flag high.”

Judo president and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya first vice-president  Shadrack Maluki said that they will field more players in the upcoming Africa Championships and at the 2020 Olympic Games in  Japan.

In Rio 2016, Kenya’s lone judoka, Kiplangat Sang, suffered the ignominy of disqualification.

Sang kissed the Olympics Games goodbye after committing four shindos in his bout against Toth Krisztian of Hungary and was penalised for adopting a defensive posture, non-combativity and twice avoiding grip in the 90kg category of the men’s individual competition.

“This team has performed above par; it is a team of the future. If the team if well nurtured it will be able to bring more medals for the country. The future of sports is with these kids and is not with the seniors. Beating Burundi is historical because those guys always beat us hands down for years,”Maluki said, adding: “We have the Africa Cadet and Junior Judo Championships in March in Burundi  and if you  support us, will beat them in their own country ,” Maluki said, calling on unwavering support from the government.