2003 Central American Judo Seminars

UNIÓN PANAMERICANA DE JUDO		UNIÃO PANAMERICANA DE JUDÔ
PANAMERICAN JUDO UNION		UNION PANAMERICAINE DE JUDO

City of Guatemala, February 7th, (02:00 am) PJU Press Commission . Yesterday, at 8 p.m., the closing ceremony of all these Central American Technical Judo Seminars started in a very well known restaurant in the city of Guatemala, where among the guests were the members of the PJU Executive Committee and all the participants of these events, as well as the members of the Executive Committee of Central American Judo Confederation and the Presidents of the National Federations of Central America.

This closing ceremony was presided by Eng. Jaime Casanova Martinez (Dominican Republic), President of the Pan American Judo Union, Mrs. Marta Alonso (Honduras) President of the Central American Judo Confederation, and Professor Oscar Cano President of the National Judo Federation of Guatemala, and conducted by Engineer Fernando Caceres (Guatemala) who is the Referee Director of the Central American Judo Confederation.

Dinner was offered to all the participants of the seminars, and immediately after it Prof. Oscar Cano referred to the attendants to thank in the name of the Guatemalan Judo the attention provided by all the participants and to respond the call made by the Central American Confederation of attending these technical seminars, which for the first time is organized by the National Federation of Guatemala in Central America.

Mr. Cano thanked the members of the Executive Committee, and especially its President, Ing. Jaime Casanova Martinez, for their presence and the support the PJU is giving to the Central American Area. He also thanked all those people who somehow have collaborated in the organization of these seminars, and the public and private organisms, who have contributed to give a happy ending to these important events.

Mrs. Marta Alonso, President of the Central American Judo Confederation congratulated all the participants of these first technical judo seminars, and all the expositors for their contribution in each of the technical areas of development dealt with in this first seminar.

Eng. Jaime Casanova showed a great satisfaction for the numerous amount of participation of young judokas in the different technical areas (Organization, Education and Refereeing), adding that development of the countries of the Central American area is an essential aim for the PJU and that the attendance of the PJU not only follows the celebration of their first 2003 meeting, but also follows the obligation to totally support the activities carried out by the Central American countries.

"I feel very proud, as well as all my partners from PJU Executive Committee; we are ending this great event today, in the different areas of great importance for judo development in the Central American Area, and therefore in all Pan America; and to us it is very significant to support this kind of activities. In the future, we’ll be cooperating even more with these kind of projects. It is also worth noting the great help, that year after year, the countries of Central America get on the behalf of Lic. Frank Fullerton, who not only have donated an important number of mats, but also have supported economically the organization of all these courses, where he himself also participates as a lecturer, reason for which I think we owe him a big applause, since without his help, the development of the Central American Countries would be a lot more limitated”.

Continuing with the ceremony, the participation certificates of the Organization Course were handed in by Mr. Fullerton and Mrs. Marta Alonso, the certificates of the Refereeing Seminar were delivered by Mr. Heli Cabeiro and finally the certificates of the Coaches Seminar were handed in.

Eng. Jaime Casanova Martinez, reported that the education and Coaching Comisión, directed by Cr. Oscar Cassineri (Argentina), have asked the Executive Committee of the PJU a for promoting Professor Heli Cabeiro to 8^th Dan Grade, which was duly approved, and which counted with the support of the National Federation of Guatemala.

Prof. Heli Cabeiro, born in Cuba and very young emigrated to Guatemala, who introduced the systematized practice of judo in Guatemala, and later becoming a great bulwark in Central American Judo. He has become International referee and has participated in 8 World Judo Championships and in 2 Olympic Games; he was the General Secretary of the Pan American Judo Union in the 70’s and has been a constant instructor of competitors, leaders and referees. He has not only characterized for promoting judo in Guatemala, but also in many different countries of Central America.

"It’s been a great pleasure for me to be here, in this event, where not only I’ve learnt a lot of stuff, but also I’ve had the opportunity of exchanging opinions and knowledge with the coaches of other countries from Central America. I can also say, on behalf of my partners, the coaches, that it’s very important to keep on doing these seminars every year, so that like us, many other coaches from our countries can come and participate in these kind of events. I’d like to openly thank the initiative of the Central American Judo Confederation, and especially, the Guatemalan Judo Federation, in charge of Prof. Oscar Cano and Eng. Fernando Caceres, Referee Director of said Confederation, for all their attentions and for the organization of these seminars which have benefit all our countries. Finally, my personal thanks to the PJU Executive Committee members for attending these events and for sharing with us. It is right here where I’d like to denote the meekness and fellowship showed by all the members of the PJU Executive Committee, who in various opportunities have shared with us, like friends, like judokas, showing enthusiasm, but above all, showing their great human condition”

Immediately after that, Miss. Kathya Umaña Vindas from Costa Rica, who participated in the Organization Seminar, who said: “I’ll talk on behalf of the Costa Rican Judo Federation, to express my satisfaction on the first place, for having been nominated by my National Federation to participate in this event. I’d like to thank Mr. Frank Fullerton, for his dedication with us during these two days in the Organization Seminar, where I’ve learnt so many things, that once I get back to my country, I’ll put into practice when the time for organizing our national events come. It ‘s also important to mention that I’ve met many people, and that when I finally return to my country, I ‘d have taken many friends from here with me, and that is why I consider these events so significant. Apart from having learnt many different aspects regarding the organization and control of events I ignored, I’ve started new relationships with friends from other countries and have exchanged viewpoints, I feel really happy and I hope these seminars continue to be conducted. I hope this example of organization that the Guatemalan Judo Federation has offered be imitated by other countries of the Central American Judo Confederation, in order to give continuity. Finally, I’d like to tell you that you have gained a friend in Costa Rica, and I hope I can welcome you all in my country in a near future, so I can return to you the attention I’ve had while being here”.

Finally, Miss. Denia Ponce de Sunsin from Honduras, who participated in the Seminar Initiation to Refereeing in Judo, spoke: “ I’d like to thank the support that the Central American Judo Confederation and the Pan American judo Union are giving. I’d like to congratulate Prof. Heli Cabeiro for his excellent lecture in this seminar, and all the partners who also made me feel supported.”.