By Adama SÉNE, Teranganews correspondent in Saint-Louis
More than 900 participants (combatants and officials) from the regions of Senegal, African and European countries are expected for the 23rd edition of the Saint-Louis International Judo Tournament which will be held from May 14 to 15. Three weeks before the event, the organizing committee, which faced the press, announced that the 2022 edition is placed under the seal of the reunion of the judo family to start again on new bases.
After two years of stand-by due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the organizing committee of the Saint-Louis international judo tournament is hard at work to revive activity. Scheduled for next May 14 and 15 in the old city, the organizers are looking for a budget of nearly 36 million CFA francs for the catering and accommodation of national and international delegations. But, according to the officials of the tournament’s organizing committee, the budget is not yet finalized. “For the moment all the financial conditions are not met. But we hope that the assurances given to us by the partners of the event will be respected before the start of the competitions”, maintained Ngor Faye. Before continuing that the 2022 edition will have a special stamp in the organization with the reunion of the family of the initiator of the tournament and the organizing committee of the international judo tournament of Saint-Louis. “This reunion was the wish of the whole judo family to perpetuate the work of the initiator of the late Ababacar Fall tournament alias Mbaye Boye.
But thank God the misunderstandings were overcome. I can’t speak of a dispute between us, only there was a communication problem. The proof, when we met on the first Saturday of Ramadan, everything quickly returned to normal. Moreover, the presence of the eldest daughter of Mbaye Boye, Khady Fall with us for this press briefing is a perfect illustration of this. So I think there is no problem between judo players in Saint-Louis,” added Mr. Faye, who is also president of the Northern Judo League.
For the president of the organizing committee, the regional teams and the national teams are beginning to confirm their participation in the tournament. “As in previous editions, four countries in the sub-region including Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea Conakry and Mali have come forward to participate in the competitions. Virtually all regions have also confirmed. Thus more than 900 shooters and officials are expected in the northern capital for May 14 and 15,” said Aicha Sy Tall.
For the organizers, the 2022 edition will be no exception to the rule, the tournament will be followed by a capacity building course for the fighters but also for the technical supervisors. It should be noted that the 23rd edition of the international judo tournament will have as sponsors the president of the Senegalese judo federation, Babacar Makhtar Wade and the mayor of Medina, Bamba Fall.
