Ten primary and secondary schools in mainland Tanzania are set to benefit from the first phase of a new judo development project aimed at promoting the sport among young people.
Speaking to The Respondent Online, Innocent Mallya, Secretary-General of the Tanzania Judo Association (JATA), said the initiative is designed to introduce judo at the grassroots level to help identify and nurture future talent.
“The goal is to ensure that judo is taught and played from an early age, starting with just ten schools in the initial phase. We will focus on training sports teachers and introducing the rules and basics of the sport, with the long-term aim of talent development,” said Mallya.
He noted that the project commenced following the successful recovery of judo mats that had been delayed in storage for an extended period.
“This project is about preparing a new generation of athletes who can represent Tanzania on international platforms,” he added.
Mallya also highlighted that participating students will have opportunities to take part in both local and international competitions, allowing them to develop their skills and showcase their abilities on bigger stages.