The Nation Newspaper

Tag: judo

  • Israeli gold medalist goes solo on anthem

    Israeli gold medalist goes solo on anthem

     

    An Israeli athlete who won gold at a Judo Grand Slam event in Abu Dhabi sang the national anthem himself, after organisers refused to play it during his ceremony.

    Rising Judoka star Tal Flicker decided to sing the Hatikvah after organisers snubbed the Israeli anthem and flag.

    When he took to the podium as champion, his anthem was substituted with that of the International Judo Federation, leaving the athlete to sing it to himself quietly.

    The dignified moment of quiet defiance struck a chord on social media with many praising Flicker’s act, and condemning the ‘racist’ event organisers.

    Speaking after the event, the 25-year-old athlete told Israeli’s Channel 2 news: ‘Israel is my country, and I’m proud to be Israeli.

    ‘The anthem that they played of the world federation was just background noise. I was singing HaTikvah from my heart.

    When female Israeli athlete Gili Cohen won bronze in her under-52 kilograms (114 pounds) class, the Israeli flag was not flown on her behalf either.

    Israeli athletes have suffered a spate of discriminating acts at high profile sporting events.

    Prior to Thursday’s events, the most recent was at the Rio Olympics in 2016, when Egyptian Judoka athlete Islam El Shehaby refused to shake hands with an Israeli star who bested him.

    The act comes after the International Judo Federation demanded the United Arab Emirates treat Israeli athletes equally.

    A letter from the IJF to the president of the UAE Judo Federation obtained by The Associated Press said ‘all delegations, including the Israeli delegation, shall be treated absolutely equally in all aspects, without any exception.’

    It highlighted the body’s core ideals that ‘every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind.’

    Israel’s Sports and Culture Minister Miri Regev said it was of ‘utmost importance’ that her country’s athletes display the flag and sing the national anthem at international competitions.

  • Lottery fund donates to Gombe schools

    Lottery fund donates to Gombe schools

    The National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) has donated sports equipment to 54 primary schools in Gombe State. The equipment donated are for basketball, badminton, football, handball, high jump, judo, athletics and volleyball.

    The chief executive of NLTF Mr Habu Ahmed said the gesture was a follow-up to a similar one by the Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo who distributed sports equipment to 2,000 public primary schools nationwide on May 20.

    He said, “While urging you to put the equipment to good use in your schools, you must ensure the safekeeping of the equipment so that they do not get stolen, as we have already alerted security agencies to apprehend any culprit who diverts these Federal Government materials.

    “We don’t want to see any of these items in any market in Gombe State because they are not for sale. They are meant for the development of sports in the state. If you notice that the equipment is not in your school, ask your teachers: where is our sports equipment?”

    Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo who was represented by his Deputy, Charles Iliya, reinforced the warning, adding that the administration will not accept any act that will compromise the proper development of its children.

  • Kano targets top three at NYG

    Kano targets top three at NYG

    The Kano State Director of Sports, Malam Bashiru Ahmed, has said that the aim of the state is to surpass it’s previous performance at the Youth Games, holding in Ilorin.

    Ahmed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ilorin, that the state is participating in more individual events.

    “This year’s National Youth Games, Kano is featuring in 15 events and we hope to get medals in 12 events.

    “Last year, we had 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze and I’m sure we’ll improve this year.

    “The state’s target is between 1st to 3rd position.

    “We are participating in more individual sports like swimming, Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Wrestling and I’m optimistic victory is ours” Ahmed said.

    He revealed that Eminike Emeka won a silver for the state in the Gymnastics event.

    “In the Vaulting Exercise of the boy’s gymnastics event, Eminike Emeka brought the state a silver and more is coming.” Ahmed added.

  • We will take Kung-fu to higher level – New President

    We will take Kung-fu to higher level – New President

    The New President of Nigeria Wushu Kung-fu Federation (NWKF), Adekunle Adewumi, on Sunday said the federation would work hard to take the Sport to a higher level.

    Adewumi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Kung-fu was one of the oldest traditional sports that originated from Asia.

    “As the elected President of the Wushu Kung-fu Federation, I want to make sure that Kung-fu is well known in Nigeria.

    “Presently, I will rate the game of Kung-fu below 10 per cent but I want to make sure that we take it to 75 per cent within the next one year .

    “We will create a team that will work fast in terms of publicity, sponsorship and training,” he said .

    The president said the federation needed support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and corporate bodies to promote the game in the country.

    “We hope to have enough cooperation from the ministry of Sports. We have potential sponsors in Nigeria that will help us to take Kung-fu to the next level.

    “Taekwondo, Karate, Judo are well known and they are International sports at the level of Olympics , Kung-fu will also be at this level if we apply the right approach to the game,” he said.