IJF President Mr. Marius Vizer was welcomed by the Prime Minister of Malta on the occasion of the IJF Kata World Championships.

Mr. Vizer was joined by Hon Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Sports, and Mr. Envic Galea president of the Malta Judo Federation at the the Auberge de Castille and Leon, situated in Castille Place, after receiving a special invitation from the Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muscat. 

Mr. Vizer, Hon Joseph Muscat, Hon Chris Agius, Mr. Galea

The eighth edition of the IJF Kata World Championships took place on Saturday and Sunday and featured 300 judoka from 30 counties and five continents attended.    

The delegation reviewed the Kata Worlds in the private office of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Muscat said that the Government was more than pleased to help the Maltese Judo Federation finalise their new training centre. He thanked Mr Vizer for supporting the Federation and for the work he is doing for judo around the world as Malta.

Mr Vizer Presenting Gold Medal to Maltese Prime Minister

Mr. Vizer thanked the Prime Minister for the invitation and presented him with the IJF Gold Medal. The IJF President also presented Hon Chris Agius with the IJF Tournament plaque for his support to Maltese Judo.

The reception also followed a visit by the IJF President to Malta’s new judo academy.

Mr. Vizer led a delegation which included Mr. Mohamed Meridja, IJF Education and Coaching Director, Mr. Uemura Haruki, IJF World Promotion Director and Kodokan President, Hon Dr Joe Mizzi Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Envic Galea President of the Mala Judo Foundation and Alex Bezzina, Malta Judo Federation Sports Director, who was responsible for the planning of the new training centre. 

Mr Vizer, Hon Mizzi, and VIPs visiting the Malta Judo Academy

The delegation toured the new light structure, with insulated roof and walls designed to be able to serve the Maltese Judo community. This centre will serve as training centre for the National team and will attract school children to the sport. It will also host the Andrew Bertie Sport Science institute in the annexes.

Group Photo Kata Seminar Malta Judo Academy - 120 Kata Students from 30 countries attended

Under the dominant three metre picture of Jigoro Kano, Hon Minister Mizzi showed how his ministry and that of Sportmalta helped to make the dream a reality for the Maltese Judo community. Mr Vizer liked the innovative modern structure and said this type of construction could be ideal in many countries around the world as it is an easy economical solution for a good dojo.

Mr. Galea thanked Mr Vizer for the support of the judogi and tatami which the will be very useful in the introduction of judo in schools and he also thanked Minister Mizzi for the support he gave the Malta judo Foundation in relation to the infrastructure and completion the centre. He also thanked Hon Chris Agius PS for Sport and Sportmalta for financing the structure.

The very first activity in the academy was the IJF Kata Worlds Training Camp, where experts of the Kodokan reviewed the five kata under the vigilant observation of Mr. Uemura Haruki and Mr Franco Capelletti, Chairman of the IJF Kata Commission. 

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