The Abidjan Gendarmerie School has officially included judo among its training disciplines as of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as part of the physical conditioning program for its non-commissioned and commissioned officer cadets.

Under the leadership of the Superior Commander of the National Gendarmerie, Army Corps General Alexandre Apalo Touré, judo now serves as a key discipline for the training of gendarmerie officers and non-commissioned officers.

During the last sports day of 2025 at the Abidjan Gendarmerie School in Cocody, Dabonné Seydou, President of Côte d’Ivoire Judo, emphasized that this partnership aims to equip future gendarmes with essential defense and self-control skills for field operations.

As part of the initiative, Côte d’Ivoire Judo donated sports equipment, including tatami mats, judogis (judo uniforms), and national team undergarments, to support cadets in learning this martial art.

“Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to developing Ivorian judo through partnerships with security structures. Judo is not just a sport, it is a school of life. Judo will benefit you greatly,” said Dabonné Seydou, reminding cadets that judo is the combat discipline practiced by the Japanese army.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Colonel-Major Camara Kinanya Alain, Commander of the Abidjan Gendarmerie School, expressed gratitude for the donation and highlighted the role of sports as a unifying force in professional cohesion.

“By introducing judo, the Abidjan School joins a global tradition where elite forces use martial arts to build the character of their personnel. I assure you that judo will be practiced throughout the National Gendarmerie. This initiative reflects the vision of the Superior Commander of the National Gendarmerie,” he added.

The integration of judo meets a precise operational need. In a context where maintaining public order requires graduated use of force, judo techniques will allow gendarmes to control individuals without resorting to firearms or excessive violence.