For several years now, the idea of an alliance of judo clubs in Nice has been brewing in the minds of the region’s sports leaders. However, divergent policies regarding the elite level and a power struggle have hindered the project. Nice Premium revisits the reasons why a unity among Nice’s judo clubs is, for the moment, not possible.
For every point of contention, there are always two versions, two truths. One is generally as valid as the other, and each party may have arguments that seem acceptable. This is quite the case with the proposed alliance of Nice’s elite judo. The very idea of pooling financial, material, and especially human resources for the elite level is controversial because each party claims credit for the idea. But this is not one of the major problems of the project, which is intended to help Nice’s judokas reach a new level.
Keeping our young judokas in the region
Currently, two clubs representing the city of Nice compete in the first division: Olympic Judo Nice and Nice Judo. A consolidation of the best competitors from these two teams, and possibly from other local associations, would form one of the largest pools of judokas in France and probably Europe. This would also increase the chances of these judokas being able to compete in the most prestigious competitions, gaining notice for possible selection in the national team for the Olympic Games. Another positive point: the project would help retain these young people in our PACA region. Today, many judokas move to the Paris region, which is a real hub for this sport in France. The foundation of a major Nice-based judo structure would stop (or at least slow) this exodus to the capital.
Two visions of the project
However, there is a debate among the leaders of the two main clubs about the policy to be conducted within this structure. On one side, Nice Judo advocates for 100% local training. For Michel Carrière, the technical director, “this project is an opportunity for local young judokas to reach the highest level, to make them stronger by confronting them with the best.
On the other side, Olympic Judo Nice (OJN), through its director Mohamed Otmane, approaches the issue differently: “let’s be serious. While we all dreamed of having our best athletes be from Nice, we still have to recruit external talents. We must innovate, seek the best, find solutions, sponsors, and adapt to the requirements of our sport so that this Nice youth dreams of podiums and role model athletes.”
This OJN policy leads its detractors to call it a club of “mercenaries.” However, Mohamed Otmane defends himself: “we have no fewer Nice-based judokas than our counterparts at Nice Judo. We can recall that Loïc Pietri (European and World Junior Champion in 2009) and Sofiane Milous (2010 European Senior Champion), to name just a few, were trained at our club.”
The only solution: communication
Finally, a significant problem: who would lead this elite unit? Everyone in this matter is eyeing each other warily, fearing that someone will take the most important positions, gain control of the structure, and use it for their own glory. Such internal disputes thus prevent the project’s fruition. Yet, all parties agree that a gathering is necessary to take a step forward.
So, for the sake of all Nice judo, let’s put these old grudges aside, sit around a table, and discuss this ambitious project calmly. But this is only a suggestion…
