About 30 countries for Asian Jr Judo Championship

Hyderabad, July 14 (UNI) About 30 countries are expected to take part in the 8th Asian Junior Judo Championship to be held here from November four to seven, 2007.

Reviewing the facilities at SAAP Indoor Stadium here, where the first Asian Youth Judo championships would be held, the Asian Judo Union (AJU) officials Che-Kuong-Han of Macao and Mohd Darkshan of Iran said ''the stadium is huge and they would use three KATAMIS (judo mats) to complete the two championships in three days.'' The Junior event was meant for the boys and girls in the age group of 16 to 20 years.

To encourage youngsters in the age group of 12-15 years, the AJU had instituted the youth category for the first time, they said.

Indian Judo Federation General Secretary Mukesh Kumar said,''The game of Judo is fast developing in India with lot of junior boys and girls winning medals at Asian level competitions. It will take time for our men and women judokas to win medals in the senior category at international level.'' UNI XR AJ SAM KP1855