Judo team wins silver at African Championships

Accra, March 15, GNA - The Ghana national judo team returned home with a solitary silver medal won at the just ended Africa Judo Championship held in Port Louis, Mauritius.

The 10 day event which started on February 28 and ended on March 10 saw Raymond Normashie win the country's only medal in the Men's Open category.

The Ghanaian contingent of five even though did not win more medals wenmt ahead to annex the Fair Play and the Most Skillful Team awards. Briefing the GNA Sports on their return in Accra, Mr Patrick Anyidoho Cousie, General Secretary of the Association, described the competition as a keenly contested one that afforded the Ghanaian contingent the needed exposure.

"We competed with players who regularly compete in the world Championships.

"A country like Mauritius is a giant in the sport and has the needed infrastructure to support the development, hence we participated to learn a thing from them".

Mr Cousie said the Association also took the opportunity to interact with some officials of the International Judo Federation, who expressed their readiness to come to the aid of supporting the development of the sport in Ghana.

The General Secretary to this end appealed to corporate entities and individuals with the love for the sport to come to the aid of the Association since the country has the talent which when well nurtured can compete with the best in the continent.

"Our boys are good and very ready to raise the National flag", he added.

Mr Cousie disclosed that the team has already started non-residential training towards the All African Games slated for Algiers at the Prisons Training School in Cantonments, Accra. Those who made the trip included the General Secretary of the Association, the Coach of the team Joseph Dodoo and Mr. James Aryee of the National Sports Council.