Sierra Leone Judo Association to Celebrate World Judo Day with Focus on Inclusion and Youth
Sia Lucy Kannah Sierra Leone will join the global sports community on October 28, 2026, to celebrate World Judo Day, focusing this year on fostering equity, representation, and community through the sport.
Organised globally by the International Judo Federation (IJF) under the official theme “Belonging,” this year’s message seeks to ensure that every athlete, from grassroots clubs to elite international competitions, feels welcomed, recognised, and valued on and off the tatami.
To mark the occasion, the Sierra Leone Judo Association (SLJA) has organised a double-header event to expand participation among key demographics historically underrepresented in martial arts.
The programme will feature a National Judo Children’s Performance and Competition, involving more than 50 children, as well as a one-day National Female Judo Championship.
“The activities are explicitly designed to ensure that children and women feel included and develop a strong sense of belonging within our national sports movement,” said SLJA President Idriss Massaqoui.
Both events will take place at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Hall on Kingharman Road in Freetown.
By prioritising youth development and female participation, the SLJA hopes the World Judo Day celebrations will serve as a springboard for grassroots growth, building a stronger, more inclusive foundation for Sierra Leonean judo.