Judo to be included in 2027 UMEA Solidarity Games
Speaking during the recently concluded UMEA games at Nkoma SS in Mbale City, George William Ssekiwunga, president of the association, confirmed the move, saying the primary goal is to make judo popular at the grassroots level.
Judo players during the recent UMEA Games. PHOTO: Gabriel Esiku
The Uganda Judo Association (UJA) is set to include judo in the 2027 Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA) Solidarity Games.
Speaking during the recently concluded UMEA games at Nkoma SS in Mbale City, George William Ssekiwunga, president of the association, confirmed the move, saying the primary goal is to make judo popular at the grassroots level.
"I want to thank UMEA for allowing us time to demonstrate the sport during the tournament. With that in mind, we look at introducing the sport during the 2027 games to be hosted in Masaka," Ssekiwunga said.
Ssekiwunga noted that judo is currently active in 10 schools, with a focus on fostering discipline, physical fitness, social-emotional development, and technical judo skills using a fun, pedagogic methodology.
"Judo is an Olympic sport which was started in 1882 by Master Jigoro Kano of Japan. It was first played in the Olympic Games at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Since then, judo has gained tremendous growth and dynamics in techniques and rules," he explained.
He added that judo provides employment for young people, helping them improve their standard of living. He also highlighted the sport's role in strengthening international relations between Uganda and other countries, instilling discipline and fitness among people of all ages, and creating a conducive environment for those with physical impairments through para-judo.
Kisekka Wasswa Habibu, organizing secretary of the UMEA games, welcomed the inclusion of judo.
"UMEA welcomes judo to the traditional sports, but our request is that the Uganda Judo Association rolls the game down to lower levels so that we shall be able to receive a good number of teams registering for the sport," Wasswa said.
According to Wasswa, while judo is not yet very popular in Uganda, it will improve if introduced in all schools.
"We truly believe that judo can help the population obtain jobs, learn important skills, and improve discipline. We want it to be participated in at national events because it will also help spread judo values among our population," he added.
Ibrahim Kisseka, sports coordinator at Nkoma SS, applauded UMEA for the timely showcasing of the sport, saying it provides another avenue for talent to be discovered.
"Now that the Uganda Judo Association intends to expand the sport to all secondary schools in the country, I call upon school administrators to come on board and support the move by providing financial support toward the game," Kisseka said.