3 July 2021

ISRAEL HOST OVER 180 FOR COACHING AND REFEREEING SEMINAR

ISRAEL HOST OVER 180 FOR COACHING AND REFEREEING SEMINAR

With many nations opening up for training purposes at grassroots level, Israel have organised a coaching and refereeing seminar as the Israeli government have begun the lifting of restrictions. 

After almost 18 months and a total of three quarantine periods, judoka have been unable to meet face to face. Until now. The Israeli Judo Association held their first seminar on a tatami and without masks. 

From Eliat in the south to Kiriat Shmona in the north, 180 participants came together to attend the seminar. It was an opportunity to practice together, to analyse video footage from both Israeli and international competition. 

The seminar was opened with words from Israeli Judo Association President Moshe Ponti, 

I am thrilled to see for the first time face to face and not by zoom over 180 coaches and referees. It is a testimony of the strength of the Israeli Judo Association and the successful fight of the state of Israel against the corona virus.

We have two important goals in the near future, our national championships, the first after 18 months, and the Tokyo Olympics, I wish all the athletes great success.

The Israeli Referee Commission President, Leon Kotliar was pleased with the turnout, 

This seminar has great importance for the professional level of the referees and coaches and I am very happy to see everyone together again.

The seminar was led by commission member and IJF referee, Ofer Ben Zvi with commission members (EJU referee) Erez Nevo and Oren Ben Artzi.

Ofer stated, 

This meeting is very important so we can analyse situations together so the referees and coaches will learn to speak the same language and can analyse the application of the rules in the same way, also it is very important for the referees to practice the latest techniques and understand better the development of the fights.

Author: Thea Cowen