Friday, the Japanese Embassy in Haiti has signed a contract for an amount of 85.920 U.S. dollars to the benefit of the Haitian Judo Federation. The signing ceremony was held at the premises of the Embassy of Japan in the presence of Mr. Kentaro Minami, Japan's Ambassador to Haiti, Mr. Jean Dionald, Secretary General of the Haitian Judo Federation, Mr. Maxime Jean Treasurer of the Haitian Judo Federation and François Chavenet, Consultant of the Haitian Judo Federation.

This financing is part of the program "Help in the form of donations to Micro-Local Projects" (Cultural APL) of the Japanese government and will allow essentially to :

• The acquisition of 500 tatami to be used by nearly 2,000 practitioners ;

• The acquisition of 600 judogi for nearly 600 athletes ;

• The acquisition of electronic boards intended to be used at national competitions.

This new grant, aims to give back to the Haitian Judo its organizational and logistical capabilities lost following the earthquake of January 12, 2010. Indeed, the Preparation Center of National Selections of the Judo Federation, had suffered serious damage and the complete loss of its equipment. At the level of the Clubs : from the 22 existing clubs in the West, 12 of Port-au-Prince and that of Petit-Goâve ad been completely destroyed ; as well as clubs in Jacmel and Les Cayes.

Centres of practice in Nord, Northeast, of Centre and Artibonite were occupied by refugees after January 12, 2010, making the recovery of tatami mats (used as beds) impossible.

HL/ HaiiLibre