Having operated in Ghana since 2017, the GJJF finally met the mandatory quota which previously prevented the NSA from sanctioning its hosting of an international event last year.

Having had the green light, the GJJF can now start preparing to host the Open Africa Championships featuring European, Asian, American, and African countries after receiving a certificate of recognition from the NSA to become the 48th-sanctioned sports association in the country.

“I’m very happy that after all our hard work did not end in vain and we have been given the nod to operate fully and organise the African championship,” said Master Maxwell Borketey Borquaye, president of GJJF.

“But we are not going to rest on our oars; this is the time we are going to work harder than before. "We thank the NSA boss for helping and guiding us to attain all the requirements to successfully gain this certificate of recognition.”

Prof. Peter Twumasi, Director-General of the NSA, presented the certificate of recognition to Master Borquaye and the other executives of the association at a short ceremony at the NSA offices at the Accra Sports Stadium.

He then hailed the impact of jiu jitsu, a self-defence sport within the martial arts genre, on the youth, especially when they win laurels internationally, but also could come in handy for the vulnerable in society like women and children to be able to defend themselves at all times.

“I must commend you for the good work you have done since starting with this association. We feel encouraged by your tenacity to succeed in the face of difficulties like not even getting the nod to host the Africa Open championship you had invested a lot in,” Prof. Twumasi said.

“Not only does your sport create employment opportunities for the youth but it can help teach some of our defenceless women and kids how to defend themselves from unexpected attacks,” he noted.

For his part, a vice president of GJJF, Evans Bernie-Johnson, appealed to students and aspiring journalists to get trained with jiu jitsu skills, which, he said, could come in handy in their line of work.

“It will be possible and it’s possible that we inculcate it in schools, especially GIJ (Ghana Institute of Journalism) so that each and every journalist who graduates there will come out well equipped with self-defence skills.

“That way, whenever he or she is attacked while reporting on the field, they can defend themselves and defend well,” he appealed.