By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
ACLSportsACLSportsACLSports
8
Notification Show More
FootballNewsSuper Eagles
Olisa Ndah set for return to action 
7 hours ago
#YourSportsMemoBlogsNewsSuper FalconsWomen's Football
WAFCON 2024 Final Preview: Morocco vs Nigeria
17 hours ago
FootballNewsNPFL
NPFL: Nurudeen Aweroro takes over as new 3SC head coach
1 day ago
BlogsFootballWomen's Football
Mission X and its final hurdle of unseen hands
1 day ago
BlogsGrassrootsNews
A sojourner at Voice of Nigeria (VON)
2 days ago
CompetitionFootballNewsNPFL
CHAN2024: Super Eagles B depart for Zanzibar
2 days ago
FootballNewsNPFL
NPFL: Evans Ogenyi becomes Pillars head coach
3 days ago
Age-Group FootballFootballNews
U20WAFUB: Flying Eagles beaten by Cotê d’Ivoire in final
3 days ago
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Football
  • Naijaheroes
  • Grassroots
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • News
  • More
    • Laughter, Leather & Losses
    • #YOURSPORTSMEMO Podcast
    • Blogs
    • Competition
Reading: Omagbaluwaje: my IOC scholarship was cancelled because of my tribe
Share
Font ResizerAa
ACLSportsACLSports
Search
  • Home
  • Laughter, Leather & Losses
  • Football
  • Naijaheroes
  • Grassroots
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • News
  • #YourSportsMemo
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
ACLSports > Blog > News > Judo > Omagbaluwaje: my IOC scholarship was cancelled because of my tribe
InterviewsJudo

Omagbaluwaje: my IOC scholarship was cancelled because of my tribe

Dare Kuti
Last updated: April 9, 2019 10:06 pm
Dare Kuti
Published: April 9, 2019
Share
As featured on NewsNow: Sport news
Sport News 24/7 

Majemite Omagbaluwaje (OLY) is the only Nigeria Judoka to have attended three Olympic Games in Seoul ’88, Barcelona ’92 and Sydney 2000.

Omagbaluwaje told www.aclsports.com that it was a great honour representing Nigeria at the All African Games, African Championships, World Championships and Olympics.

He said, “Nigeria Judo started nose-diving as far back as 1992 when late Group Captain Lawan Dangaji was elected the President of Nigeria Judo Federation. He began inviting Judokas to camp based on sentiment, tribe and religious belief. I can give you an example; I got a scholarship from International Olympic Committee in 1991 but Dangaji cancelled it because I was not from a section of the country. Meanwhile, I was awarded the scholarship based on merit and my performance in Africa and the world.

Omagbaluwaje said, “I am proud to say that I represent Nigeria at three Olympics (Seoul ’88, Barcelona ’92 and Sydney 2000). I went to 4 African championships where I won 1 gold 1 silver and 1 bronze. I was the first Nigeria Judoka to win a gold medal at the All African Games attending 4 All African Games winning 2 gold (1991 and 1999) and 2 bronze medals.

- Advertisement -

 

“I also attended the World Championship in 1989 at Belgrade finishing 7th position, won silver and bronze medals at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in the 71kg and open weight class respectively.  It was a great honour to represent my Country flying the flag of Nigeria at these international championships”.

On how he started Judo, Omagbaluwaje told www.aclsports.com that he attended local tournaments from secondary school.

He called on Nigeria judo coaches to spend more time with their athletes, mentor them and make them upright citizens.

The UK based judoka said, “I was born in Lagos but my family is from Itsekiri in Delta State. I started Judo back in 1982 while I was in high school at Ikeja High School. I and my friends used to go a different School to do Judo with Dominic Enyoghasim. When I started Judo it was not because I want to get paid; I was doing it because I love the game and I wanted to be good at it.

“I call on Nigeria coaches to spend more time with upcoming Judokas, mentor them so that they can become good Judoka and upright citizen”

Omagbaluwaje disclosed that the fortunes of Judo in Nigeria started dwindling when Group Captain Dangaji became president of the Nigeria Judo Federation in 1992.

He said the only way for Judo to grow in the country is for the Federation president to be a practitioner of the sports.

“The only way we can get things right is for Nigeria Judo to have a president that knows what Judo is about, the truth is Judo is a noble sports and the Coaches think about bringing up judokas that understand the game of Judo not just fighters. The President, board members and coaches should be willing to put time in to the sports.

“The federation needs to go out and look for sponsorship so they can attend international competition. The only way for Nigeria Judokas to rate themselves is to participate in championship”, he added.

 

Saheed Idowu plans attending more tours in 2020
2019 AAG: I will justify my inclusion says David Joseph
Gymnastics: Avani Goel targets 2022 Commonwealth Games
Super Falcons must have strong self belief – Akide-Udoh
Audu: 1st Judoka to win 3 bronze medals at 4 African Games
TAGGED:1989 World Judo Championship in BelgradeAll African GamesDelta StateItsekirilate Group Captain Lawan DangajiMajemite OmagbaluwajeNigeria Judo FederationOlympic Games
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Previous Article President Cup Africa: Nigeria’s poor showing in Morocco
Next Article Nigeria takes third at U21 Beach Volleyball championship
Leave a Comment

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Categories

YourSportsMemo

Latest News

Olisa Ndah set for return to action 
Football News Super Eagles
WAFCON 2024 Final Preview: Morocco vs Nigeria
#YourSportsMemo Blogs News Super Falcons Women's Football
NPFL: Nurudeen Aweroro takes over as new 3SC head coach
Football News NPFL
Mission X and its final hurdle of unseen hands
Blogs Football Women's Football

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow

Archives

Latest News

U20WAFUB: Flying Eagles beaten by Cotê d’Ivoire in final
Age-Group Football Football News
CHAN2024: Defending champions Senegal announce squad
Competition Football News
Champions Remo Stars provide 9 players for CHAN 2024 squad
Competition Football News NPFL

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 14.8K other subscribers
ACLSportsACLSports
Follow US
© ACLSports. All Rights Reserved.
adbanner