In a ceremony held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu today, the Japanese government presented 240 Judo uniforms to the Nepal Judo Association.
Ambassador Kikuta Yutaka personally handed over the uniforms, emphasizing the significance of this gesture in fostering mutual understanding between Japan and Nepal through sports.
The event was attended by Deepak Harsha Bajracharya, President of the Nepal Judo Association, along with its members, including Debu Thapa, an Olympian who competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Additionally, four active Judo players aiming for the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 participated and received encouraging messages from Ambassador Kikuta.
These Judo uniforms were generously provided by the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF) and the non-profit organization JUDOs, under the Project for Sports Diplomacy Enhancement by the Government of Japan. This initiative aims to promote judo and mutual understanding between Japan and its friendly countries through sports, as stated in the official statement from the Japan Embassy.
JUDOs has been actively supporting the promotion of judo in Nepal by dispatching international instructors, and providing judo uniforms, and tatami mats for training. The public sector has also contributed, with the Multipurpose Martial Arts Center (MMAC) in Kathmandu being jointly funded by Matsumoto City and the Government of Japan to commemorate the sister city relationship between Matsumoto City and Kathmandu City.
Ambassador Kikuta highlighted the benefits of judo beyond just physical skills, emphasizing its role in fostering healthy bodies, indomitable spirits, and courtesy among young players. He expressed confidence that judo can contribute significantly to the physical and mental growth of Nepal’s youth.
The Embassy of Japan expressed hope that the donated uniforms would inspire enthusiasm among Nepali judo enthusiasts and contribute to the positive development of the country’s youth. They also expressed their desire that this goodwill gesture would further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Nepal.
