At the beginning of November, the IJF and the DIJF (Deaf International Judo Federation) signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote judo and kata for deaf athletes around the world.
Thus, the IJF and the DIJF have agreed to sign an MOU to co-operate, to promote develop judo among deaf athletes who meet the deafness criteria as defined by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD).
Among the terms of the MoU are:
- The IJF will support the DIJF with the development of judo among deaf athletes, residents of the countries affiliated to the IJF.
- Both organisations will co-operate to study particular features of training sessions and competitions for deaf athletes in judo, including kata.
- A special focus will be put on DIJF judo competitions and refereeing among the deaf athletes at the World Deaf Judo Championships, Deaflympics, World Deaf Children's Games and international tournaments of deaf judo.
- The IJF will include specialists and coaches of the DIJF judo national teams in the IJF referees' and coaches' training workshops;
- Events will be held according the IJF rules.
The co-operation between the IJF and the DIJF has reached a new level that will benefit the whole judo community and will help to spread the judo values and principles to improve society at all levels.