Etoile Judo Club celebrates World Judo Day with tree-planting activity |30 October 2021

Members of the Etoile Judo Club planting fruit trees at the Olympic House

Fifteen members of the Etoile Judo Club took part in a tree-planting activity at the Olympic House, Roche Caïman, on Wednesday to celebrate International Judo Federation’s World Judo Day under the theme ‘Solidarity’.

The celebration is in memory of the anniversary on October 28 of Japanese Jigoro Kano Shihan, the founder of judo. Born on October 28, 1860, Kano Jigoro Shihan founded Kodokan Judo and is called ‘Father of Education and Father of Japanese Physical Education’. He also put the most effort into the bid for the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo and advocated world peace through sports.

The Etoile Judo Club members planted 11 fruit trees consisting of local orange (Zoranz lapo fin), soursop (Korsol), rose apple (Zanmalak) and bitter orange (bigarad). The fruit trees, which have been modified genetically to prevent them from growing tall, were planted in the presence of the president of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association(Socga) Antonio Gopal and office manager Hebetty Alcindor. Apart from helping in the beautification of the building that had just been completed recently, the trees are to benefit the athletes and sports officials who come to visit.

“As the theme this year is ‘Solidarity’, we wanted to show our solidarity with Socga, an institution that is always ready to help local sports bodies and we are one of those sports bodies that have benefited from its assistance,” said Sandra Jeanne, chairperson and coach of Etoile Judo Club.

She also said that all judo federations around the world are taking part in different activities to celebrate the occasion, either physically or digitally.

She added that the local club has chosen to plant the fruit trees which for them represent life and the fruits are the source of nutrition beneficial for all athletes.

“Friendship is also one of our values and through this gesture we are also showing our friendship with Socga,” the chairperson and coach of the club said.

Mr Gopal thanked the judokas for their initiative to help with the beautification of the area. He noted that he hopes sportsmen and women will enjoy some of the fruits as there might be a possibility that other people will benefit from the trees.

“What better way by you athletes to beautify the area with the trees that will bear nutritious fruits for better health and I thank you for that,” Mr Gopal said.

Coach Jeanne said apart from taking part in the celebration, the occasion is also a competition among judo clubs around the world where the best activity that has taken place will be rewarded. Pictures of Etoile Judo Club’s activity were to be submitted to the International Judo Federation.

She added that it is the first time the club officially takes part in the celebration. In 2020 to commemorate World Judo Day, they only held a training and photo session at the Beau Vallon beach.

Socga also received a diploma certificate from International Judo Federation for taking part in the celebration and it was presented to Mr Gopal by judokas Leandro Figaro and Kendra Vital.