In the wake of the message of peace delivered by the IJF president (CLICK HERE) and the clip recorded by the World Judo Tour athletes during the recent Antalya Grand Slam, several actions were initiated in varied contexts which showed the richness of our sporting community and its ability to reinvent the present and the future. The message was clear: we want peace, we need peace and we think that judo can contribute to it.
On 6th April the Judo For Peace South Africa programme, for example, organised an event in partnership with Made to Play (Nike) around the theme “The impact of a positive male coach.” In a friendly atmosphere, the beneficiaries of the programme were able to exchange their views on modern society and the impact that we could have on its evolution.
In Zimbabwe, children from the Tongogara Refugee Settlement and Gokwe Schools also celebrated the IDSDP. The IJF and the Judo for Peace Commission will soon be on site to disseminate the values of judo in even greater depth. This journey will also include Zambia and Malawi.
During the Commonwealth Judo Championships held in Malta over the weekend, all participants, from athletes to coaches, referees and all officials, came together once again to say how peace and development should be priority objectives and this especially since times are difficult.
Judo does not give up and will never give up. These few examples are just one illustration among many others that it is possible to do something and that it is when united that we can make the world a better place because this was Jigoro Kano's dream and because this is our wish again today.
