Paris, January 21 (JIT).- The president of the French Judo Federation, Stéphane Nomis, and the Cuban ambassador to Paris, Otto Vaillant, laid the foundations on Thursday for the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement on the high level judo. .
Driven by the Cuba Cooperation France Association (CubaCoop), the meetings held at the headquarters of the Federation made it possible to discuss areas of work such as the preparation of athletes for major competitions, the exchange of knowledge of coaches and the development disciplines with many traditions and results in both countries.
Nomis expressed their desire to support the island’s judoka with training bases in French cities, on a cycle of up to a month, which would include covering the costs of accommodation, food and transportation within the country.
Likewise, it increased the possibility of sending to the Greater Antilles the donation of basic resources for martial arts training made by Jigoro Kano, based on coordination with Cuban partners on key needs.
“I am very happy to help, I have very good memories of Cuba and I think we will have an excellent collaboration”, he stressed during the meeting, which was also attended by the president of CubaCoop, Víctor Fernández, and his vice-president Manuel Pascual. . .
Ambassador Vaillant thanked Nomis and the French Judo Federation for their willingness to promote sports cooperation under the principle of solidarity.
Cuba greatly appreciates this kind of approach, which it practices with several countries, for example through the contribution of coaches, which prepares athletes who will later face us on the international stage, explained the diplomat.
Vaillant commented on the challenge the sport posed to the Caribbean nation under the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States for more than six decades.
Nomis and the Cuban Ambassador discussed the celebration of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the possibility of supporting the preparations of the judokas of the island, so that they arrive at the event under five rings in optimal conditions .
They also discussed the celebration of the next Judo Grand Slam in Paris, on February 5 and 6, a very popular tournament on Gallic soil, where Cuban athletes traditionally compete.
Nomis highlighted France’s interest in promoting sports collaboration, in a context marked by the Olympic cycle with an eye on Paris 2024.
“France and Cuba are two judo nations and this reinforces a cooperation that I am sure we will carry out quickly and with good results,” said the former athlete, European medalist in doubles and Grand Slam in the categories 81 and 86 kilograms. .
The president of the local federation considers fraternity and rapprochement between people as very important, above the logical spirit of competitiveness produced by sport.
