Lagos Judokas Set for 2023 IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Azerbaijan 

For the first time in the history of judo in Nigeria, two Lagos judokas have been listed among the competitors at the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) Judo Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The trip has been bankrolled by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Judo Association (LSJA) under the chairmanship of Sheriff Hammed.

 Bina Foundation which is IBSA representative in Nigeria under the leadership  of Lady Ifeoma Atuegwu as Chairman/CEO, facilitated the trip as the athletes garner points ahead of the paralympic games in France.

The National Gymnastics Arena in Baku will host the six-day tournament from September 22to 28 as Nigeria will be competing at the tournament for the time.

The three-man team has Oladele Kekere and Grace Egbobi as athletes and they will be coached by Janet Omohodion. The athletes are at present warming up in camp in readiness for the tournament as they are expected to depart the country on September 22.

According to Hammed, the trip became necessary for the athletes to compete internationally against their counterparts while lauding Lagos State government for deeming it fit to bankroll the trip.

“In Lagos, we are always setting the pace and we hope other states will take a cue from this by encouraging their athletes who are challenged to aim high in the sport. We are grateful to our Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the gesture and we will continue to put Lagos on the world map as our athletes fly Nigeria’s flag for the first time in such international championships,” he noted.

Apart from competing, the athletes will be part of the training camp which will take place after the championships on September 28 to October 4at the Sumgayit Olympic Sports Complex in Baku.