The IJF has launched last week the website dedicated to the World Judo Day, which will take place on October 28th, 2011. The theme of that first edition of the event will be “RESPECT”. And it is appreciated by Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) and as a member wants to be a follower and therefore wants to maintain the same culture here in Pakistan also.

For this, in order to give a tribute to the young scholar named Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), the founder of JUDO in 1882 in Japan, Pakistan Judo Federation is arranging Championship Events in which a brief history of judo will be known to all the young and upcoming Athletes and a special history of Jigoro Kano, his contribution to Judo will be told like Kano wanted to develop a system of physical education suitable for the newly emerging Japanese public educational system. He derived judo from the ancient art of jiu-jitsu. The system he developed is based on two key principles: maximum efficiency and mutual welfare. It aimed to teach how to subdue without injuring the opponent. According to Kano, “Judo is a teaching for life itself and with it we learn to overcome the pitfalls and obstacles of everyday living”. The school where he taught his first students in Tokyo, called Kodokan, is regarded as the world centre of judo. Every year it attracts thousands of judokas of all ages and skill levels.

The first Judo School or club in Pakistan was opened in 1978. Judo Pakistan, the official national governing body for the sport, was incorporated in 1990. Today more than 22000 estimated Pakistanis participate in judo programs in approximately 250 clubs across Pakistan. So, this will be a Mega event in Pakistan in which we will celebrate the Birthday of the great founder of Judo and pay a salute to his values to Judo which he taught us i.e.:

• playing by the rules

• co-operating with others

• respecting self and others

• self-discipline and humility

• self-confidence and commitment

• perseverance and determination

• concentrating and controlling

Hoping from the world Federations & Associations specially the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the true lovers of Judo that they will not only support us but will also give us an appreciation for arranging this Mega Event here in Pakistan as a Tribute to the Founder of Judo.