Judo: African Judo Union on a fact-finding mission in Abidjan
Judo: the African Judo Union visits Abidjan to check preparations, on Sport News Africa
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Preparations for the African Cadets and Junior Cup and the 2023 African Judo Open are the talk of the continent. To that end, a delegation from the African Judo Union (UAJ) was in Abidjan from 19 to 24 April 2023, ahead of the two competitions scheduled for 15 to 18 June 2023 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville. The delegation was made up of Madagascans Ramaroson Andrianarimalala and Domoinanirina Vololoniana, along with the UAJ's sporting director, Nigerien Youssoufou Aboudramane.
Led by Ivorian Judo Federation president Dabonné Seydou, the UAJ delegation held two important meetings on Thursday 20 April 2023. The first was with National Olympic Committee president Ngoan Georges and his executive committee, at the CNO-CIV headquarters. "We are very happy. Rest assured, the CNO will be by your side. These two competitions will be a complete success," the CNO-CIV chief promised at the end of the meeting.
Positive meetings
The second was with Sports Minister Danho Paulin at his office. "This year is a big year for sport. Côte d'Ivoire is ready. We have the right infrastructure. And I have faith in Dabonné Seydou and his team. They have already shown their expertise. You will have institutional backing," Danho Paulin promised. Both meetings ended with the signing of the specifications for the two tournaments. The other three days were devoted to guided visits of the Palais des Sports de Treichville, the training venues and the hotels that will host the various delegations, as well as training and briefing sessions with the organising committee.
"The Open is a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Both tournaments are of international standing. So we came to assess the infrastructure and support the Ivorian Judo Federation in its momentum. And what we have seen already reassures us. We are satisfied," said the UAJ sporting director, Youssoufou Aboudramane, at the end of the mission. "We need to be ready to offer the world a quality organisation. We have a reputation to defend," said Ivorian judo chief Dabonné Seydou for his part.
Sanh Séverin