Judo: A Sport In Need of Revival In India
Judo: A Sport In Need of Revival In India
The monsoon has experienced a revival and so has kabbadi but judo is still to be rescued in India. Introduced for recreation of employees of a firm from Japan in Angamaly more than 30 years ago, Judo has become a sport in its own right in India. This is now considered as a medal winning event for many states such as Kerala. In fact , Kerala judokas have been bringing nearly 30 medals per year from national tournaments to their state following victories. J. R. Rajesh who is the chief coach for Judo at the Kerala State Sports Council has indicated that the past 3 years have been most important for the sport as far as this southern state is concerned.
The period saw a massive rise in the number of youngsters who took up this sport on a professional basis. This is because the state has included this sport in the Youth Affairs Training Programme for the sports council. “The council sent coaches to all the districts for a certain period to impart judo techniques and skills to students like in a summer camp. This played a huge role in generating interest for judo among youngsters,” Rajesh is quoted in the media as having said.
The government of this state has also included judo in school games in the year 2011 and commenced with the allocation of annual funds ranging from 10 to 15 lakh for developing sports infrastructure for judo in the state. KSC lady coach Maria Lee has indicated that while juniors excel in judo, few continue to play till the senior level as they leave the sporting career once they turn 20. But our judokas are talented and if they can get monetary support , they will certainly excel in their field.
Sushila Likmabam is India's first ever Commonwealth Games silver medallist in Judo this year. She has been quoted by the media as saying "even when I am not practicing it, I am thinking of judo". "I was a little nervous of participating in the senior category for the first time," she is quoted to have said of her Glasgow experience, "I got silver this time because I lacked in practice. I worked hard but could have worked harder. I will try to improve in the Asian Games."
For the first time in India, Sushila and Najot Changa won a medal at the CWG. Sushila reached the finals of the 48 kg category and she feels that judo has been neglected by the government. She has cited how her own medal could possibly bring good fortune for the sport. She has said to the media that "There are a lot of talented judokas but there are very little facilities.
The government sanctions very few foreign tours and if we get enough exposure we can win many more medals," she pointed. The judo contingent had undergone a 20-day training tour in Uzbekistan before the Games. She has also urged sponsors to enter the sport by saying that "More sponsors should come forward. If judokas get help like I did, they can also win medals".
