| Ishan Ibrahim |
LOCAL Judo practitioners must be encouraged to compete in regional and international judo competitions to gain knowledge and exposure to promote the martial art in the country, said Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Motohiko Kato.
He said the 30th SEA Games to be held in the Philippines next year and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo are competitions Brunei Judo athletes can participate.
He made these comments during a Judo session led by Judo coach Yasuharu Mizuno and Judo Programme Coordinator and Coach of Brunei Sports School Judo Academy Muhammad Ali Rashid bin Haji Muhammad Alipah at the Brunei Sports School Judo Academy on Monday.
With the establishment of the Brunei Darussalam National Judo Federation in April this year, the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam is advocating the promotion of the Japanese martial art in the country, said Motohiko Kato.
The recent appointment of Yasuharu Mizuno and the full support of the Japan Foundation Asia Center and the Kodokan Judo Institute will increase the number of Judo enthusiasts, he added.
“I will do everything I can to promote Judo in this country,” Motohiko Kato said adding that he will try his best to learn Judo from the beginning since he only practised “a little bit” when he was child.
Speaking on the promotion of Judo in Brunei Darussalam, he said it is best to take a step-by-step approach and to not hurry.
