It is farewell time in Venray [EJU Get Together event] and as we pack up our tools and retain our emotions, there is one person left to share her views with us. The leader of the EJU Adapted Judo project, Marina DRASKOVIC, who have put enormous amount of hours into this project, expressed her outmost gratitude;
It’s quite difficult to describe with words all the emotions and gratitude for everything that happened in Venray. This weekend was a true proof that the most beautiful social changes are made with teamwork and the same mindset. Yes, at first it looks like it’s about judo, but this weekend was much more than judo. This is the cornerstone for creating new judokas with different abilities, but also a moment that all competitors and attendees will remember forever. Adapted judo story is bigger than ourselves and we must not forget that fact.
Equal opportunities are as important as equal rights, and this tournament was an opportunity for everyone to show their effort and work, their competitive spirit, their judo knowledge. Just by the smiles of the judoka, everyone present could testify how important it is to them. Everyone returns home as winners and as equal judoka. The judo weekend in Venray was a factory of happiness.
I must also mention that the tournament passed without a single serious injury. It is proof that we have created a safe competitive environment for our judoka.
Author: Szandra Szogedi