By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
Sierra Leone’s vice president of the National Olympics Committee (NOC) and the head of Judo in the country, Idrissa Massaquoi has been appointed as the chair of Judo for Peace Commission of the African Judo Union.
Massaquoi was appointed by the president of the African Judo Union. The Sierra Leonean top Judo official has been a strong supporter for the development and establishment of the Judo sporting activities in his home country.
His love to inspire the young to loving the Judo sport, Massaquoi and Fredrick Harris co – founded in 2015 , the Judo in school project in his home country of Sierra Leone with the aim to encourage children in deprived communities and schools across the country to teach and train them on Judo sporting activities.
Part of Massaquoi ‘s responsibility in his new role as chair of the Judo Peace Commission is to be engaged in post conflict region, organising courses using Judo as a mental and physical tool in peaceful conflict resolution in the African region.
‘’The courses shall cover issues as human rights, cross cultural understanding, positive conflict handling and resolution -apply guiding principles for all Judo for peace activities (equality of sex, race and social position). All parties in conflict shall be treated equal. Take part in program for developing just society based on social engagement responsible persons and coaches must develop social skills as the capacity to build relationships based on trust and develop communities based on mutual respect and productive interactions,’’ the African Judo Union said in a statement recently.
The Chair of Judo for Peace Commission of the African Judo Union will manage and lead projects approved by the president of African Judo Union (AJU) whilst leading team members through each phase of the project and preparing monthly and annual reports.
