The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Richard Akpokavie, has advised Judo clubs to give maximum respect to their leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between clubs and the Ghana Judo Association.
Mr. Akpokavie made this statement during the Ghana Judo Association elective congress held at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, June 28.
According to Mr. Akpokavie, the success of Judo in Ghana depends on the collaboration between clubs and the association’s leadership.
“As you send them, they go, but there’s one thing you must always also know,” he said. “If you don’t collaborate with them, then the sport will die. You are the clubs. You are the ones who control the athletes. So, if you do your work well, you support them, the sport will grow. Then everybody will be the beneficiary.”
The GOC President also emphasized the importance of respect and collaboration between the leadership and members.
“You are not there to be dictators,” he said. “You are there to collaborate with them. For me, the most important thing is that the athletes are the most important reason why we are here. Because of us who are in administration, the athletes, without the athletes, you come swear in for what?”
Mr. Akpokavie challenged the new leadership to work towards Ghana’s participation in Judo at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“I want to see you at the Olympic Games in 2028,” he said. “So, you must do. The last, if I remember correctly, Judo won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2014, so you must do something”
