The Tanzania Judo Association (JATA) has confirmed its participation in the Open Africa Judo Championships scheduled for November this year in Senegal, as part of its preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking to The Respondent Online, JATA Secretary General Innocent Mallya said the national team is currently training at two separate camps—Ukonga and the Police College in Kurasini, Dar es Salaam.
“Our preparations resumed soon after the Paris Olympic Games. We now have a motivated group of young athletes with strong competitive spirit. We’re calling on stakeholders to support us so we can send a larger team capable of bringing home multiple medals,” said Mallya.
He emphasized that the Open Africa event will serve as a critical test to assess the team's readiness ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.
“These continental championships will help us identify how far we’ve come in our preparations, the challenges we still face, and what adjustments need to be made to improve performance before Glasgow,” he explained.
Mallya urged the athletes to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to their training routines, stressing that performing well in both the African Championships and the Commonwealth Games will be vital for qualification to the Olympic Games.
“Success in Senegal and at the Commonwealth level is the pathway to the Olympics. That’s why our athletes must listen closely to their coaches and train with determination,” he added.
The Open Africa Championships are expected to attract top judo talent from across the continent, offering valuable experience and competition for Tanzania’s athletes as they aim to raise their profile on the international stage.