Segun Gbayi Judo Foundation, Lagos State Govt Empower Coaches, Referees With Latest Trends In Judo

The Lagos State Judo Association and Omoba Segun Gbayi Judo Foundation have collaborated to empower judo coaches and referees via a two-day seminar in Lagos.

The seminar tagged: “Train the Trainers” which held at Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos, between Thursday 13 and Friday 14, 2025, witnessed large turnout of Judo coaches and referees across the South-West part Nigeria.

According to the Chairman of Omoba Segun Gbayi Judo Foundation, Segun Gbayi, stated that the aim of the seminar is to equip coaches and referees in the region with necessary skills required to develop Judo in their respective states and also keep them abreast of the latest implemented rules by the International Judo Federation.

Chairman, Lagos State Judo Association, Mr. Hammed Sheriff, who saw to the smooth running of the seminar, provided necessary support needed for the success of the event.

He commended the Foundation for coming up with the initiative, adding that the Lagos State Judo Association will continue to render support when necessary.

Some of the participants who spoke at the end of the seminar on Friday, said Gbayi s sponsorship of the “Train the Trainers” programme further demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the development of Judo and its in Ogun State, the South-West part of the Nigeria and the country at large.

The Omoba Segun Gbayi Judo Foundation, expressed gratitude to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, for his mentorship role to the foundation of which contributed to the success recorded at the two-day seminar.

The event had in attendance over 20 participants from across Nigeria and had Judo legendary coaches such as: Sensei Edokpolo Ihaza (8th Dan) and Sensei Dickson Egbonwon (6th Dan) as the instructors.

Notable participants at the seminar included: Lagos State Judo head coach, Sensei Janet Ihaza and former commonwealth games Bronze Medalist who also doubles as the Head Coach, Ogun State Judo Association, Aremu Christy Obekpa.

At the end of the seminar the foundation honoured retired coaches from South-West with cash as a way of appreciating their efforts towards the development of the game over the years.