Algeria's Olympic bronze medallist Soraya Haddad was present at a ceremony to welcome the schools into the project ©Getty Images

The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) has inaugurated four schools as part of the International Judo Federation's (IJF) Judo in Schools programme.

Algeria's Olympic bronze medallist Soraya Haddad was present at a ceremony to welcome the schools into the project.

Haddad, who was third in the women's under-52 kilograms division at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, is also the coordinator of the scheme and the director of sports at the COA.

The schools joining the project are the Djafri School, the Mohamed Salah Hachemi School, the Houari Boumedienne School and the Mohamed Benamira School.

According to the IJF, Judo in Schools helps to develop both the mental and physical health of the children who take part.

The Algerian Olympic Committee has inaugurated four schools as part of the International Judo Federation's Judo in Schools programme ©COA
The Algerian Olympic Committee has inaugurated four schools as part of the International Judo Federation's Judo in Schools programme ©COA

"Problems, opportunities and challenges can vary considerably, depending on country, economic situation, composition of population and political climate," the governing body said. 

"Each country has its own specific situation.

"The IJF Judo in Schools methodology is based on the eight core values of judo, friendship, honour, respect, modesty, politeness, courage, self-control and sincerity. 

"We added a ninth value, the catalyst of IJF Judo in Schools, fun."