IJF President, Mr Marius Vizer, had the honour of welcoming all the national federation delegates, the IJF EC members and important personalities including: His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, World Judo Championships - Doha 2023 Chairman, Qatar Olympic Committee President and Association of National Olympic Committees Senior Vice President - Mr Max-Herve George CEO & Co-Founder – Ultima Capital - Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah - H.E Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi Al Saud, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee - Mr Mustapha Berraf, IOC Member, President ASOIF - H.E Jassim Al Buenain Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee - Mr Raja Sapta Oktohari President of the Indonesian Olympic Committee - Mr Mohammed Eisa Al Fadhala, Director of the Sports affairs department in the Qatar Olympic Committee, President of the Weightlifting federation - Dr. Thani Al Kuwari, Second Deputy of the Qatar Olympic Committee - Mr Khalid Hamad Al Attiya, President of the Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate federation, Vice president the Local Organizing Committee World Judo Championship Doha 2023 - Amb. Jean-Paul Carteron, President-Founder Crans Montana Forum, IUHEI Crans Montana Institute, WDA World Diplomatic Academy - Mr Ali Ghanim Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar Volleyball Federation - Mr Leo Bahadourian, Owner “Le Grand frais” - Mr Waleed Al Ghanim - Mr Otabek Umarov Vice President of the Executive Board - Olympic Council of Asia - Eisa Al Hitmi Director of AlKass Channel - HE Dr Adkham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Mr. Aquiles Gomez Guzman, Vice President of NOC Chile.
IJF President, Mr Marius Vizer opened the evening, "Good evening, sport is about social integration and is not a place for politics or discrimination. We are here in an atmosphere of respect, unity and friendship. Thank you all for your contribution to the success of this event. Thank you for all your support and thank you to all our guests."
A short awarding ceremony then took place, introduced by the evening’s MC, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have now reached the moment of our evening when we recognise and honour the exceptional achievements of contributors to the judo world family.
To receive the first award, for his contribution to world synergy and peace with a special programme bringing 300 Ukrainian refugee judoka, all children and young people, to Romania, providing them with shelter, food, education and safety; on behalf of the International Judo Federation, President Vizer will present Mr George Teseleanu with the IJF gold plaquet.”
Mr Teseleanu received the award, "Thank Mr President and the judo family for this award, our sport promotes peace but peace is not automatic, we have to all work for it together. We must believe in this."
The second award was announced, “For one of the longest presidential terms, please welcome to the stage the national federation president of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sincere congratulations for his dedication to the development and promotion of judo in his home country and at the international level; on behalf of the International Judo Federation, our President Mr Marius Vizer will present Mr Branislav Crnogorac with the IJF gold plaquet. Mr Crnogorac says that the secret to his long success is being surrounded by good colleagues and friends.”
In accepting the award, he said, "This award also belongs to my athletes and to my colleagues, the federation and my family.”
The final award was then announced, “To receive the last awards: for their professionalism and dedication to the International Refugee Team. Despite the unimaginable tragedies that they have faced, they show the world their contribution to society through their talent and, most importantly, through their strength of human spirit.
On behalf of the International Judo Federation, President Vizer will award Mr Sarlak and Mr Becker with the IJF gold plaquets.”
Mr Sarlak accepted his award graciously, “Thank you all for your support for this refugee team.” Mr Becker followed, "Thank you for the invitation to Qatar. Thank you Mr president, you are the head and heart of this team."
There was then a moment for the awardees and Mr Vizer to take some pictures before rejoining their friends to enjoy the remainder of the occasion together.