As a parting gift and legacy to the local judo community, outgoing Philippine Judo Federation President Dave Carter last Thursday received close to P1 million in equipment and gear from the All-Japan Judo Federation during simple turnover rites held at the Japan Embassy in Pasay City.
Carter accepted the donation of the AJF, led by Japan Olympic Committee President Yamashita Yasuhiro, of 97 tatami mats and 100 judo uniforms from Deputy Chief of Mission Minister Yamamoto Yasushi under the Japanese government’s “Sport for Tomorrow” program.
Witnessing the turnover was PJF Treasurer Ma. Lyn Versoza, national judokas John Viron Dalafu Ferrer, Marco Tumampao, Khrizzie M. Pabulayan and Dylwynn Keith Gimena and national coaches Rick Jayson Senales, Gilbert Ramirez and Paul Michael de Vera.
“We are happy to be able to contribute to Filipino athletes through judo, the sport that has a close relationship with Japan,” noted Yamamoto, who was also a judo practitioner during his younger days.
He also cited the country’s success in winning its first Olympic gold medal through weightlifter Hidylin Diaz in the last Tokyo Summer Games.
“When our big brother, Mr. Yamashita Yasuhiro, President of the All-Japan Judo Federation and Japan Olympic Committee and a judo legend, whispered to me the last time we met if we still needed mats and judo gear, of course, I said yes,” Carter said in accepting the donation.
“The donation of mats and uniforms will go a long way as these shall be distributed to the member clubs of the Philippine Judo Federation. They will be used for strengthening our grassroots program as we expand our outreach in encouraging young people to take up the sport,” Carter noted.
Carter will remain as secretary general of the federation under the new leadership of former national team standout Alexander Sulit, who was elected as PJF President over the weekend and whose term will begin in January 2022.