A Lagos State female athlete at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Benin, Edo State, Aminat Idrees, who won gold in taekwando has been enjoying rave attention since her feat. However, observers have been blaming the media, (not THISDAY) for not educating the public enough that the event is a demonstration one that does not involved kicking one another.
“It was just a demonstrating event and the Nigerian media over-hyped it. People have been wondering how an eightmonth pregnant woman could withstand the kicks involved in taekwondo, not knowing that Poomsaie is just a demonstrating event. Moreover, why should the organisers allow a heavily pregnant woman to even participate,” an observer fumed.
“In a competition such as the Olympic Games, which is what the National Sports Festival should be modelled after demonstration events are never medal scoring events, so why should the NSF be different. We should learn to do things according to the world standard practice,” an official from one of the states at the festival who would not want his name mentioned told THISDAY.
Meanwhile, the 27-year old has dedicated her feat to Lagos State taekwondo team, coaches and officials.
