The IJF Judo Educational Tour has passed through Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby ©IJF

The fourth edition of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Judo Educational Tour has passed through Papua New Guinea's capital on the eve of the Pacific Games, even though the sport is not part of the programme. 

The IJF and Oceania Judo Union (OJU) have held several important meetings to make sure the sport can develop in the country in the coming years.

The two-and-a-half week Tour, organised jointly by the IJF and OJU, started in Wollongong, and coinciding with the Australian Championships, featuring hundreds of competitors from the country's eight States and two Territories.

Led by Nicolas Messner, the IJF's media and Judo for Peace director, it then moved on to Papua New Guinea before visiting Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Four judo demonstrations were held in Port Moresby; one at the University, two in high schools and one in a local club.

Raymond Ovinou, who represented Papua New Guinea a  London 2012 and is seeking qualification for Rio 2016, was present everyday on the tatami to promote judo’s values at grassroots level.

On the back of the stop in Papua New Guinea, the IJF has promised to support the country by sending equipment to create new clubs to increase the participation and the popularisation of judo.

John Jambert, President of the Papua New Guinea Judo Federation, admitted it was unfortunate that judo was not included on the sports programme of the Pacific Games, which is scheduled to take place here from Saturday (July 4) to 18.

But he claimed his Federation now has guarantees that it will feature in the forthcoming editions, starting in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, in 2019.

“This Educational Tour gave us a new push to promote judo very high in our country,” said Jambert.

Four judo demonstrations were held in Papua New Guinea
Four judo demonstrations were held in Papua New Guinea ©IJF

The third leg of the Tour was held in Vanuatu, a country still recovering from a devastating cyclone in March.

IJF equipment has been sent there to support the Vanuatu Judo Federation.

Three judo sessions were held in the capital Port Vila involving judoka aged from three to 30-years-old, while several meetings were also organised, the most important one being with the National Olympic Committee.

“Our island was severely damaged by the cyclone in March and our federation as well,” Ted Drew, President of the Vanuatu Judo Federation.

“We are now waiting for the IJF equipment to arrive.

“Meanwhile, we are also pushing hard to have a real judo dojo, which would belong to the Federation and which would help us to really develop judo.”

The final stage of the Tour was held in New Caledonia where judo club visits took place. 

“If the judo facilities are of a very high standard compared to what can be found in other places around Oceania, a lot of work still needs to be done to promote judo in New Caledonia and especially in the north of the island,” said Pierre Jean Lung, President of the New Caledonia Judo League.

“But for us it was also very important to welcome the IJF and OJU, because we wanted to tell them that we are ready to help for the development of judo throughout the continent.”

A judo club visit in New Caledonia
A judo club visit in New Caledonia ©IJF

The idea of the Tour started last year in Nanjing, during the Summer Youth Olympic Games.

The IJF had already organised a tour through China and was about to do the same in Canada.

Australia are planning to hold their own tour next year with states competing to come up with the most innovative initiatives and make the best use of it.

“We have to raise the popularity of judo and the participation,” said OJU President Lennie Nitt.

“Australia and New Zealand are the leading countries, and with the support of the French Territories, we can really hope to develop judo throughout the continent.

“Our main concern is the teaching level.

“We need equipment of course, but we need good teachers.

“With the support of the IJF and its President, Mr Marius Vizer, with such educational tours, and with the commitment of our Union, we are now working hard to make judo become a leading sport in many countries.

“For sure, this Tour is only the starting point of a great journey for judo in Oceania.”

Messner added: “Oceania is geographically isolated.

“Bringing judo through its educational dimension is crucial.

“Judo for Children and Judo for Peace programmes for instance can help the countries to promote judo among the population in order to create a better society, to help local populations and in the future to build strong sports policies."



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