As the judo world gathered in Budapest for the final day of the OTP Bank World Judo Championships, millions of refugees across the globe were honoured, ensuring their stories are not forgotten. In a world in turmoil, those forced to flee, leaving everything behind, in the hope of rebuilding a new life, one they hope will be better and safer, remain at the centre of the International Judo Federation's concerns.
For many years, the IJF has been developing programmes to help refugees. This is reflected in multiple ways. Under the spotlight, the refugee team, supported and accompanied by the IJF, participates in World Judo Tour competitions regularly. Last year, six of them were in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games and therefore became role models for the entire refugee community.
In the educational field, the IJF is not left behind, with several programmes underway in refugee camps, offering opportunities to practise judo and learn its values for building a more just society, in which everyone has their place. Three camps are running in Zambia, one in Malawi and one in Zimbabwe. Activities are under construction in Kenya and Jordan, while the long-time programme in Türkiye (Kilis) is still offering new opportunities for young people. Last but not least, the IJF is leading an extensive programme in South Africa with its Judo for Peace South Africa project, which includes refugees and local communities and help them to live together.
When everything changes, when all seems lost, there is still hope. Today, judo is a source of hope for many young judo practitioners. While the theme of World Refugee Day in 2025 was 'Solidarity with Refugees,' the judo family once again demonstrates its capacity for solidarity, not only during one day but throughout the year.
On World Refugee Day, the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) has also announced the 47 refugee athletes who are receiving Olympic Solidarity scholarships. For those eligible, this is a first step in their journey to take part in LA28. Among them are some judoka: Adnan Khankan, Sibghatullah Arab and Mohamad Akkash, currently living in Germany, Kavan Majidi and Melika Balali, living in the United Kingdom, Kevin Ndahabonyimana, in Kenya, Mohammad Bakhtiyar Hamza, in Canada, and Mohammad Rashnonezhad, in the Netherlands. ORF YouTube Channel.
Happy World Refugee Day and let's make the world a better place to live in for everyone!