04 Mar 2018

Botswana Judo Federation (BJF) has recently received 50 judo gi from the Japanese Embassy.

The handover ceremony held at the Judo Federation Dojo in Gaborone on March 2, saw Kozo Takeda, the Japanese Ambassador to Botswana, handover the suits which are formal Japanese traditional uniform used for judo practice and competition to athletes.

Speaking at the handover, Takeda remarked on the growth of judo in Botswana, applauding strides the BJF has made internationally encouraging its promotion.

He also stated that the handover of the suits from the embassy to the federation comprised  both equipment and skills that would not only build the skill of judokas but promote the sport of judo.

In the past the embassy donated skill to BJF through experienced coaches from Japan and the Sensei Itsuba Dojo, a space for immersive learning of judo built in Gaborone last year.

Japeta Letsholo, president of BJF, who was also speaking at the handover ceremony, showed his gratitude to the Japanese Embassy’s continued support towards the sport of judo, and announced that the federation would be receiving another coach from Japan for a long term period beginning next month.

Judo Botswana, which has produced Olympic qualifying judokas such as Gavin Mogopa and Thato Lebang since its establishment, has brought confidence among the fellow athletes such as Edwin Sello who thanked the embassy for its contribution at the handover ceremony.

“As judokas we will be forever grateful to our judo masters who have made BJF possible through the partnership of Japan and Botswana,” Sello said. ENDS