By Our
ReporterThe National Judo Association (JATA)says it plans to honor local Judoka Andrew Mlungu for his outstanding performance at the recent Glasgow ,Commonwealth Games.
At the Commonwealth Games,Mlungu made history by becoming the first Tanzanian Judoka to finish in the top ten in the 81 kg plus category.
Yohana Jiji who is JATA secretary general said to emerge on position eight at the commonwealth Games is a big for the Nation.
“ We are delighted by his (Andrew Mlungu )performance at the just ended Commonwealth Games in Scotland, to emerge on position seven is a big achievement for him and the country,remember commonwealth games is an event where crème de la crème of Judokas meet , as the association we plan to honor him with something,” he said .
Mlungu has been performing well at various international events ,at the 2024 Africa Senior Individual Championships he emerged on position 7 and on second position at Dakar African Open in 2023
Meanwhile , Jata said this year's edition of East Africa Military Judo clubs Championships which was slated for this September in Dar es Salaam, has been pushed back to December .
Jiji in an interview said the East Africa championships which was planned to take place from 15-17 September in Dar es Salaam at Don Bosco ,Upanga Campus has been postponed to December 3-13 at the same venue.
He said the postponement was due to late communication, saying the host (JATA) extended the invitations to competing nations very late.
“ We extended invitations to all countries in the region, and we expected all invited countries to compete at the championships which was initially planned to be held for two days, But many member nations complained on lacking enough time to prepare for the championships ,so we agreed that the championships be held in December,” he said .
He said the postponement is a blessing in disguise as JATA and stakeholders will have enough time to prepare for the event.
Jiji said an honor for Tanzania to host such a big Judo event , saying it shows that Judo is growing in the country .
Meanwhile ,Jiji also disclosed that this year’s edition of National club championships which was to be held next month in Dar es Salaam have also been postponed to October in Zanzibar at the date and venue to be announced soon.
The National club championships was initially planned for 15-15 of next month at Don Bosco ,Upanga Campus, he however could not give reasons for the postponement , but said all the 13 clubs will compete .
The Thirteen clubs which will compete at the Championships are Magereza who are the defending champions ,Aviation club ,Police Field Force , Kigoma ,Korogwe,Magomeni ,Eilasco ,Ruvuma ,Tukuyu ,Kisutu ,Flamingo,Khub Khan and DPA Police .
In the previous interview ,Jiji could not disclose the budget paged for the championships but asked all Judo lovers, the corporate World and sports stakeholders to help the association financially and materially so that it can successfully host the championships .
Jiji recently told this publication that his association actively promotes the sport through local clubs, international training partnerships, and school programs, with a major focus on strengthening athletes for international competitions.
