Our compatriot Habib Sissoko has just been distinguished by the African Judo Union (AUJ) for his exceptional services and his contribution to the development of judo in Africa. It was last Wednesday, September 6 during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the UAJ, which took place during a dinner in a hotel in Casablanca, Morocco. Previously, he was named honorary president of the African judo body during the ordinary congress, held on Tuesday, September 5, at the Mogador hotel in Casablanca. He was quite simply a devoted servant of this martial art and a lifelong commitment to Olympics and sport. Note that Habib Sissoko successfully chaired the UAJ from 2016 to 2021. He dedicates this double consecration to the entire national Olympic and sports movement of Mali and to the great judo family.
Founded in December 1961 in Dakar under the name of Afro-Malagasy Judo Union, the African Judo Union (UAJ) has just celebrated its 60th anniversary with pomp in Casablanca, Morocco, on the sidelines of the 44th edition of the Judo Championships. Africa seniors judo, started on September 4 and ends on September 10.
During a gala dinner, several personalities from the world of judo were awarded honorary distinctions commensurate with their rank. Prominent among the recipients is our compatriot Habib Sissoko, current president of the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Mali (Cnosm) and former president of the African Judo Union (UAJ) from 2016 to 2021.
The one who dedicated his whole life to the promotion of judo was distinguished by the African Judo Union. “This certificate of recognition from the African Judo Union is awarded to Habib Sissoko for his exceptional services and his contribution to the development of judo in Africa”can we read on the certificate plaque.
This distinction was well received by the entire National Olympic and Sports Movement of Mali and the great judo family as recognition from the UAJ to Habib Sissoko for everything he has done for this discipline on the national level and than international.
“Sincerely, we are very proud of this honorary distinction awarded to Habib Sissoko. For us, it is well deserved. Habib has done a lot for Malian, even African, judo. His time at the head of the African Judo Union was a fine example. All members continue to praise his good governance during his mandate. He is an exemplary leader, rigorous and very humble, who revolutionized the UAJ. And after one term, he himself decided to leave his place to other people. So, to be awarded today by the UAJ is not surprising. It is the fruit of several years of work”a sports manager told us.
Note that the African Judo Union is an association bringing together the national federations of Africa. Its role is to manage and develop judo at the continental level. It was in June 1964 that it organized its first African championships.
The purpose of the UAJ is to implement the policy of the IFJ and the IOC in Africa, to promote cordial and friendly relations between its members and to lead and organize the activity of judo in Africa, to protect the interests of judo in the African continent. That’s not all. It is also about organizing continental events, controlling the events organized by its members and participating in the organization of continental qualifying events for the Olympic Games, developing the practice of judo in the African continent for all categories of population, to improve the quality of judo teaching and the safety of its practice and above all to control the delivery of grades, including “dan”, and their compliance with the rules of the IJF and finally to promote the ideals and objectives of the Olympic movement and to represent the African Judo Union to third parties and arbitrate any possible conflict between member national federations.
And Habib Sissoko had the chance to brilliantly lead this African judo body. He was elected head of continental judo following the UAJ elective congress which took place in April 2016 in Tunis, Tunisia. The only candidate in the running, Habib Sissoko was acclaimed by his peers to succeed the Ivorian Lassana Palenfo, who had been in office since 1990.
This election was the crowning achievement of a long career which began more than thirty years ago. From a young age, Habib Sissoko began practicing judo and was crowned champion of Mali several times. He even represented Mali at the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980, before retiring and joining the Malian Judo Federation (FMJ). He held several positions in the federation, before being placed at the head of national judo, which he led for around ten years. After his election as president of the National Olympic and Sports Committee (Cnosm) in 2000, the former judoka left the federation, but in the meantime, Habib Sissoko was elected vice-president of the African Judo Union (UAJ) and director for development of the International Judo Federation (IFJ).
It was on the sidelines of the 42nd edition of the African Judo Championships, held from May 20 to 23, 2021 in Dakar, Senegal that he decided to pass the baton to Siteny Randrianasoloniako. And the senior African Judo Championships judo which is currently taking place in the room of the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, brings together several athletes from different countries. As a prelude to this major meeting, an international seminar was organized for referees and coaches.
El Hadj ABHAIDARA
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2023-09-09 07:36:19
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