The signing ceremony marked a new chapter in the successful collaboration between Hungary and the IJF, building on the achievements of recent years in creating academic and athletic opportunities for international judoka.
The MoU was signed by Ms Boglárka Illés, State Secretary for Bilateral Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, together with IJF President Mr Marius Vizer.
Through this renewed agreement, the Government of Hungary reaffirms its commitment to supporting talented judoka from around the world, offering them access to higher education in Hungary while allowing them to continue developing their sporting careers at the highest level. The IJF, for its part, will continue to act as a bridge between the international judo community and Hungarian institutions, ensuring that the programme reaches judoka from all continents and diverse cultural backgrounds.
The Stipendium Hungaricum Sports Scholarship Programme has already enabled many judoka of broad geographical origins to combine sport and education, opening doors to future careers both on and off the tatami. With this new cycle, the IJF and the Government of Hungary aim to further strengthen this model of dual career development, promoting education as a vital part of an athlete’s future.
“Education and sport go hand in hand. Together with Hungary, we are building pathways that will prepare judoka for life beyond competition while ensuring they can reach their full potential on the tatami. This agreement symbolises our shared vision of judo as a tool for personal growth, cultural exchange and peace,” said IJF President Marius Vizer.
From her perspective, State Secretary Boglárka Illés emphasised not only the importance of sport in nurturing the physical and mental health of new generations, but also its significance, through international sports events and competitions, in bringing these new generations from various countries closer together, thus facilitating mutual understanding and co-operation in other fields as well.
The signing ceremony was held in Budapest at IJF headquarters and was attended by Hungarian government representatives, IJF officials and members of the diplomatic and sports communities. The IJF was the first international Olympic federation to move its headquarters to Hungary.