AFRICAN MEET: EIGHT JUDOKAS DEPART FOR CAMEROON

Eight Nigerian judokas have departed the country for Younde, Cameroon to take part in the African Championships.

The event, which will also serve as a point cumulative tournament towards the London 2012 Olympic Games, will hold from April 14 to 18.

The Nigeria Judo Federation selected 16 judokas for the competition but reduced the number to eight due to a lack of fund.

The NJF President, Isa Matori, told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday that the NJF was confident the athletes would win the competition and get the necessary points needed for the Olympics.

He said, 'We planned on participating with all of them but funding has always been the problem.

'Selecting eight from the 16 judokas was a big task for the coaches because they were all qualified to be in the team. However, there will be other opportunities for the judokas who were dropped to represent the country.'

The judokas, who left the country aboard a Virgin Airline on Wednesday, are Nsa Bashir, Friday Achanga, Alabi Eniafe, Oruware Ebikabowei, Ayuba Adijat, Franca Audu, Esther Sule and Ebeka John.

Seven officials, which include the NJF boss and three coaches - Ewa Ekuta, Christy Obekpa, and Dolo Oniti - are expected to join up with the team on Thursday