Abuja – Bashir Bassey, an International Judo Federation (IJF) certified instructor, on Tuesday in Abuja said the judo sport in Nigeria was in need of sponsorship to thrive.

Bassey said that sponsors would aid the sport’s development, and their emergence would aid the federation to organise tournaments for the athletes.

“At the moment, the game is dwindling in Nigeria, compared to the olden days. Judokas do not go for championships and this cannot help build their skills, techniques and form in the game.

“The federation needs sponsors, people who have passion for the sport, in order to develop the game.

“Our players need competitions, both locally and internationally, to be able to compete favourably with their counterparts elsewhere,’’ Bassey, who is the immediate-past Director of Judo Education and Coaches Commission in Africa, said.