"VAN" (Sports Desk - 17.05.2025) :: International Judo Federation wants to give a chance to each individual, no matter the situation, to be able to discover judo not just as a sport, but a life changing motto. To do so, they have introduced many initiatives for youth and social inculsion.
During his presentation on day 2 of the AIPS Congress in Rabat, Nicolas Messner, IJF's Head of Media and Judo for Peace Director placed particular emphasis on the social impact of Judo. “Since 2014 we have had a big programme that I was leading, a project, which is really dear to my heart,” Messner said.
A GLOBAL REACH Deployed in dozens of countries around the world, the programme primarily targets children living in difficult circumstances: underprivileged neighbourhoods, remote rural areas, and even refugee camps. The goal is clear: to offer children a structured, safe, and empowering environment through the practice of judo. Messner shared some pictures taken in a refugee camps in Turkey, in South Turkey, with Syrian refugees, in South Africa and Malawi to show the amazing results that are being achieved through that programme.
“Having the chance to give a smile to one child who had no chance in life, who had to flee his own country, who has to face traumas and dramas is just amazing. But today, we're not only giving the smile to one child. We're giving the smile to 1000s of children,” he added.
IJF has been supporting athletes included in refugees’ team, who participated in individual but also in mixed team event both at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
JUDO FOR CHILDREN The Judo for Children project, launched by the IJF was also highlighted by Messner. It is an ambitious initiative aimed at promoting education, discipline, and universal values through the practice of judo among young children. Implemented in many countries, this programme highlights the benefits of judo as a means of physical, mental, and social growth. More than 160 countries have joined the programme so far and more than 70,000 children every year can participate in judo, in school activities. The programme goes beyond teaching combat techniques. It also promotes the core values of judo, such as respect, perseverance, courage, honor, and friendship. These values become essential reference points in a child’s development—on and off the tatami.
MORE THAN SPORT Beyond taking care of the wellbeing of people through the sport, IJF places importance on training. “One of the big initiatives we also have is the IJF Academy, where we're working hand in hand with Olympic solidarity, for instance. And the idea is to make sure that any coach in the world can have at least a certain level,” said Messner. He explained that there are more than 5000 coaches now around the world that have benefited of the IJF Academy. “So it's something very important that is developing all over the continents and all the countries that are members of the IJF.”
Through its different projects and achievements, the IJF reaffirms its commitment to making judo a sport in service of humanity. “I know it's really easy to understand football. It's more difficult to understand judo, but through judo, we can reach the people. We can reach they're facing, and we can help them finding solutions to get a better life.”
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