31/05/2025
The 22nd Nigerian National Sports Festival, also known as "Gateway Games 2025," just ended in Ogun State, Nigeria. This festival aimed at fostering unity and encourage athletic excellence across the nation, featuring various sports events, including judo.
Judo Event Highlights
- The judo event is being held at the Ilisan Town Hall, bringing national spotlight and economic boom to the community.
- Enku Ewa Ekuta, a renowned Nigerian judoka, has won her fourth National Sports Festival gold in the women's -63kg category, defeating Kafayat Azeez of Ondo State in the final.
- Ekuta's victory is not only a testament to her dominance in the sport but also an emotional win, as it brought closure to a long-standing family memory.
- The festival is providing a platform for youth engagement and exposure to judo, with students from nearby schools attending the matches.
*Other Developments in Nigerian Judo*
- The Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) has announced plans to hold the National Judo League and National Judo Open Championship, which will bring together judokas from across the country to compete and showcase their skills.
- The NJF is also working to develop judo in Nigeria, with events like the National Judo Open Championship serving as trials for athletes representing the country in international competitions, such as the Olympics qualifiers.
The Pictures speaks.