Written by Nicolas Messner
Through recent years, Judo in Schools activities organised in the cities of Freetown, Bo and Kabala have been a tremendous success, empowering hundreds of young people and fostering the growth of the sport across Sierra Leone.
The organisers have been hosting regular school judo training camps with over 50 children participating every three months. These camps involve not just the young judoka but also their parents and teachers, ensuring a whole community approach to the sport’s development.
In addition to the training camps, the federation has been proactive, arranging local judo championships for children aged 10-13 years old. This has provided a valuable competitive platform for the young athletes to showcase their skills and experience the excitement of judo tournaments.
Belt grading exams are held every 6 months at the judo training academy in Bo City. This structured progression ensures the young judoka are properly recognised for their hard work and advancement in judo.
Recognising the importance of accessibility, efforts to lower the barriers to participation were also made. Through the International Judo Federation, monthly allowances for transportation for the coaches to travel to their schools and communities, as well as supply judo uniforms and tatami are provided.
These holistic efforts have resulted in the development of a strong junior and cadet team, now preparing to represent Sierra Leone at the prestigious Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. This is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the power of grassroots sport development initiatives.
Thanks to continued dedication, community engagement and a focus on inclusivity, the Judo in Schools programme in Sierra Leone is transforming lives and paving the way for a bright future in the sport
Source; Sierra Leone Judo in Schools Activities, a Resounding Success / IJF.org