Sierra Leone: Idrissa Massaquoi appointed as Chair of Judo for Peace Commission of the African Judo Union

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 have 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  sports , 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 through using judo as a mental and physical tool in peaceful conflict resolution in the African region.  

‘’The course 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 community based on mutual respect and productive interactions,’’ the  African Judo Union said in a statement.

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 Lead team members through each phase of the project and preparing monthly and annual reports.