Nigeria Judo coaches on Monday protested the inclusion of overweight judokas by officials of the Nigeria Judo Federation at the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin.
The News Agency of Nigeria learnt the protest was sparked by the inclusion of three overweight judokas from Nasarawa in the 56kg boys’ category after the weigh-in on Sunday night.
NAN also reports that 15 coaches signed a letter to express displeasure over the incident.
In the letter they recalled that the minister had warned against the use of both overage and overweight athletes during the Games.
The judokas occupied the mats as a sign of protest.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesman for the Nigeria Judo Federation, Phemmy Adetula, said the matter had been resolved and the competition would continue.
He said the ministry had conducted a weigh-in that the coaches felt was not right and wanted a new screening of the athletes before the competition.
Adetula explained that the federation would not support either overage or overweight athletes to participate.
He promised that the federation would also ensure that the objective of the Games were not defeated.
Trending
- How FRSC reduced Road Traffic Crashes by 42% – Corps Marshal
- FCCPC uncovers prices in Yen as it grills Chinese supermarket owners + Photos
- Reporters detained for airing music, taking calls from girls
- German police arrest 11 Nigerians laundering money made from dating scam
- Fernandes digs Man U out of hole in win over Sheff United
- Akintoye to Afenifere: Yoruba wants self-determination, not restructuring
- Naira loses 0.64% against dollar at official market
- Re-examining Patriarchy, Faith: Domestic violence, faith integration in Nigeria, by Michael Olatunbosun