Mrs. Estony Pridgeon, President of the Botswana Judo Federation declared: “I don’t know if the words I will speak today will fully describe the emotions I am experiencing at this moment. Standing before you all is a Sport Leader who is very proud of the growth of Botswana Judo Federation. On this special occasion we mark the bond and relationship that BJF has nurtured and grown with the Japanese embassy.“
In fact, the partnership between the BJF and the Japanese authorities has been substantial as through the Japanese Embassy in Botswana, the Japanese government granted a USD 87,500 support to build the dojo and support development programs in the build up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Mrs. Pridgeon added: “We are very privileged to have outstanding support from International Judo Federation in the initial design, funding and technical support for this Dojo project. The IJF President Mr Marius Vizer is a great believer in partnership building and has encouraged this partnership we have with the Japanese Embassy, especially as this is where our sport has its roots. We have great partnerships and are confident in the shared vision we have as a collective Judo Family.“
One of the BJF objectives is to increase the number of judo players around Botswana and to help change people’s lives through the, education, energy and the spirit of judo.
The BJF President concluded her remarks with a quote from the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke,: “Sport has the capacity to empower individuals and bring one’s moral values to the forefront and can play a strategic role in transferring life skills and communicating useful and encouraging messages on important issues, thus driving social change.”
On that special day, Mr. Marius Vizer, IJF President, sent a message to the Botswana Judo Federation: “Dear Judo Family from Botswana, I would like to congratulate you for your new achievement that you brought on the map of African judo: a new dojo, a new ‘home’ for the judokas from Botswana and not only. This is a very important step for the Botswana Judo Federation and we hope that the new dojo will bring more and better results at continental and international level, giving possibility to all the judokas to train and also to youth to start practicing judo. I congratulate the federation for their initiative and also their partners for their collaboration and continuous support. I wish you good luck in your further judo activities and I look forward to seeing the progress of African judo!“
One of the BJF objectives is to increase the number of judo players around Botswana and to help change people’s lives through the, education, energy and the spirit of judo.
The BJF President concluded her remarks with a quote from the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke,: “Sport has the capacity to empower individuals and bring one’s moral values to the forefront and can play a strategic role in transferring life skills and communicating useful and encouraging messages on important issues, thus driving social change.”
On that special day, Mr. Marius Vizer, IJF President, sent a message to the Botswana Judo Federation: “Dear Judo Family from Botswana, I would like to congratulate you for your new achievement that you brought on the map of African judo: a new dojo, a new ‘home’ for the judokas from Botswana and not only. This is a very important step for the Botswana Judo Federation and we hope that the new dojo will bring more and better results at continental and international level, giving possibility to all the judokas to train and also to youth to start practicing judo. I congratulate the federation for their initiative and also their partners for their collaboration and continuous support. I wish you good luck in your further judo activities and I look forward to seeing the progress of African judo!“