Zanzibar Judo Association (ZJA) is constructing a judo hall in Chake Chake, Pemba which is expected to be ready very soon.
ZJA President Tsuyoshi Shimaoka said the Zanzibar Second Vice-President, Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi, laid a foundation stone at the hall on Saturday.
“We’re constructing a judo hall at Chake Chake and when it’s ready the martial art be played in Pemba as soon as possible,” said Shimaoka.
The ceremony was also attended by the Minister for Information, Culture, Tourism and Sports, Saidi Ali Mbarouk and Japanese Ambassador Masaki Okada. Meanwhile, Mbarouk Suleiman Mbarouk of Zanzibar Police was awarded as the Best Judo Player of the Year 2013 over the weekend.
He was presented with a return air ticket to Pemba, free accommodation for two nights and 100,000/- by Minister Mbarouk.
The minister said that there is a plan to select best players in each sport this year who will be awarded by either the ministry or the National Sports Council Zanzibar. “Judo have set the trend and their excellent example should be emulated,” he said.
Mbarouk his part, said he is happy and very proud to be voted the best judo player of the year and promised to perform better this year and win medals for the country.
“I thank God for giving me this honour and I’m grateful to ZJA for presenting me with money. I’m very happy and I will live to remember this day,” he said.
“I’ll train intensively and work very hard this year to win medals for my country in international competitions,” he added.
Source Tanzania Daily News