The IJF teamed up with the Aboriginal and Territorial Affairs Committee of Judo Canada to facilitate the Educational Tour, which follows a similar initiative run in China in 2013 and earlier this year.

The genesis of the visit was inspired by a book written by judoka Mario Des Forges, who promotes the sport across the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut regions which make up the Great North of Canada.

Des Forges' book entitled Chutes tells the story of two young teenagers whose destinies are heavily influenced by judo as they live in the Northwest Territories.

Secretary general of Judo Canada, Daniel De Angelis, drew the attention of the IJF to the book back in January, which led to a decision to embark on a tour of the region.

Quebec native Des Forges has dedicated his life to the promotion of judo within the Great North and to its indigenous communities.

Des Forges founded the Judo Nunavut, in the heart of the Inuit land, and is President of Judo in the Northwest Territories and director of the Aboriginal and Territorial Affairs Committee of Judo Canada.

He constantly travels the territories, meeting principals and headmasters of schools promoting the sport.

While residing in the town of Iqaluit, he managed to raise the judo membership to 1,200 members.

Mario Des Forges has been ploughing a lonely furrow promoting judo across the Great North of Canada for a number of years ©IJF



But, with the harsh landscape and sheer vastness of the Great North of Canada and limited funds, Des Forges faces challenges in developing the sport.

"It is not easy, there are many obstacles," revealed De Forges.

"Here everything needs to be done, everything needs to be built.

"It is virgin territory and we can help communities whose lives are sometimes far from a beautiful fairytale.

"But we find solutions and give new hope to young people who without judo wouldn't have much to dream of."

Des Forges was joined on the two-week tour, which ran from September 30 to October 3, by a number of officials from Judo Canada and the IJF, including IJF media and Judo for Peace director Nicolas Messner.

They visited schools and clubs across the region including stops in the cities Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Providence, Whitehorse and Iqaluit as well as Aboriginal reserves where the sport was introduced for the first time.

A total of 20 judo activities were held for nearly 650 children.

Around 650 schoolchildren took part in the IJF Educational Tour across the Great North of Canada ©IJF



In addition, the delegation met with local officials and sponsors with the aim of securing backing for future judo programmes.

Speaking at the final gathering in Iqaluit, which saw around 250 schoolchildren taking part in a range of activities, Judo Canada Board member Alex Ciupe, said: "We have to adapt to the reality in the field and provide effective support so that judo can continue to grow.

"It's possible.

"This was proven in the past.

"But we will have to roll up our sleeves because there is still a lot of work left to do.

"The challenge is worth it."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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