MOKOKCHUNG, SEP 3 (NPN): The Nagaland Judo Association (NJA), headquartered in Mokokchung, is set to organise the first-ever Nagaland State Judo Championship from September 10 to 12 at Eden Academy, Mokokchung, under the theme “United by Judo, Driven by Excellence.”
The championship aims to bring together judo talents from across Nagaland and provide a stronger competitive platform for the development of the sport in the state.
According to the NJA, its objectives include identifying talented athletes, providing competitive exposure, encouraging district-level participation, promoting women’s participation in judo and creating a pathway for athletes aspiring to compete at national and higher levels.
The association envisions establishing a sustainable judo system across Nagaland, covering grassroots training through district, state and national-level competitions. It also aims to encourage more young people, particularly girls, to take up judo and enable Nagaland athletes to compete successfully at national and international levels. Addressing a press conference in Mokokchung on Thursday, NJA officials said the championship was expected to draw a large contingent from across the state, with eight districts having confirmed their participation so far.
More than 300 judokas are expected to take part in the championship, which will feature 17 categories across different age groups, from sub-juniors to seniors, for boys, girls, men and women. The championship will be officiated by trained referees from Nagaland, along with referees from West Bengal.