Judo South African Deputy President Sipho Tyatya (left) watches blind judoka Luthando Bonase, aged 16, of Khanyisa School for the Visually Impaired share a light moment with his coach Sondisa Magajana, EP Judo President as they prepare for the upcoming international Judo for Peace tournament in Nelson Mandela Bay, to be hosted by EP Judo Association supported by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Picture supplied YMA.
Judo in the Nelson Mandela Bay Region will get a much-needed boost through local, national and international support when the Nelson Mandela Bay Judo for Peace Open Championships tournament is hosted by the EP Judo Association in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth from 9 to 10 September.
As a precursor to the event and to create an awareness of judo during Women’s and Tourism Months, the EP Judo Association has visited a number of schools to not only promote the tournament but also judo as a crime prevention tool and to an effective counteract to violence.
“Judo for Peace is an initiative of the International Judo Federation and the United Nations Human Rights Commission. After much lobbying at national and international levels and through support from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, NMB was granted the right to host the first Judo for Peace tournament this year.
“The purpose of the tournament is to promote judo as a catalyst with which to address the challenges in societies. The tournament will also enable EP Judo to capacitate itself with much needed apparatus and equipment that always has to be borrowed from other regions elsewhere in the country,” said the tournament spokesperson Sensei Sondisa Magajana, who is also president of EP Judo Association.
On Tuesday, the association and municipal officials visited Khanyisa School for the Visually Impaired in Kwadwesi where the EP Judo Association operates a judo club. Children from schools nearby also attended the demonstration.
“The zest and enthusiasm these young people have for judo despite their disability is amazing. We also have clubs at Lonwabo School and Northern Lights School for Special Needs Children,” said Magajana.
Khanyisa principal Wezile Thole said judo is one of the best sports in the world. It has done a lot for the learners at Khanyisa. It’s not just for fun, it builds their morale, it soothes their minds and helps them to be strong in character, have faith and be determined. It also provides them with a self defense tool.
“Judo is a sport that can make our society a better place. It instills discipline and encourages spiritual and physical growth.” Magajana also stressed that judo is self-defense tool for especially women, who are vulnerable in many societies.
On Sunday, at 3:00 pm, a public demonstration will be held on Hobie Beach. The demonstration will include All African Games participant, Mabhula Bhula.
The actual Judo for Peace Open Championships tournament will be held at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton. There will be a seminar on Friday at which foreign delegates will present. The tournament will start on Saturday morning 10 September at 9:00 am.
The Executive Mayor’s office will host a welcome function to welcome the national and international judo officials and visitors.
