International Judo Federation expert Hassam Ikhlef is drilling coaches at the Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC); the first of its kind since the formation of Judo Association of Malawi (JAM) last year.
Speaking after the opening ceremony on Saturday at the BYC, the French national said he was in Malawi to help lay judo structures through development of coaches. International Olympic Committee’s local wing, the Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) is funding the training which ends on Thursday.
“I expect the coaches to listen and learn as I take them through methodology of teaching and basic techniques. To be honest, I have no idea of Malawi judo standards. After the course, I could have an idea and make an appropriate assessment,†said Ikhlef.
JAM vice-president Boniface Maganga, who spoke on behalf of his president, John Kaputa, described the course that has attracted over 15 participants as crucial to the sport’s development.
“It is a timely course which is for beginners. It is the first of its kind and we thank the IOC for making it possible through the Malawi Olympic Committee,†Maganga said before MOC general secretary Helene Mpinganjira declared the course officially open.
Judo, meaning gentle way, is a modern martial art, combat and Olympic sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, according to Wikipedia.
Its most prominent feature is the competitive element, where the object is either to throw or take down an opponent to the ground, immobilise or otherwise subdue an opponent with a grappling manoeuvre, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking or by executing a strangle hold or choke.
