Sports
Edo 2020: Criticism Trails Participation Of Eight-Month Pregnant Athlete
The decision by the Main Organising Committee (MOC) as well as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to allow an eight-month pregnant woman, Aminat Idrees, to compete in the taekwondo event at the ongoing Edo 2020 National Sports Festival in Benin City has sparked angry reactions from across the country.
Idrees defied the odds to win a gold medal at the sports festival on Tuesday, a few hours before the Games were officially declared open.
The eight-month pregnant Idrees, who fought in the mixed poomsae category, surprised fans at the taekwondo hall with her aggression and agility despite her heavy state. Her feat was Team Lagos’ first gold at Edo 2020.
Some Nigerians, who expressed their anger yesterday over Aminat Idrees participation at the Games lambasted the MOC, LOC and Lagos Sports Commission for ‘failing’ to apply simple principles of efficient sports administration and management.
“This has clearly shown that the current Permanent Secretary (an engineer) and Chairman of the MOC, is a complete stranger to sporting environment,” one angry sports analyst said on a radio programme monitored in Lagos yesterday. “Putting an eight-month pregnant woman into competition is professionally unacceptable.”
Another sports analyst said: “I blame both the MOC and the LOC for this shameful act that happened at the sports festival in Benin City. Officials of Lagos Sports Commission should be also punished for allowing an eight-month pregnant woman to compete. Whether it was a demonstration event or medal winning sports, it was totally wrong. They did not only put the life of both mother and child at risk, but also put the name of our country to shame. No one can explain this. The MOC chairman has demonstrated that he is a novice. My major concern is that this same man will lead Team Nigeria to the Olympics Games in Tokyo.”
No official of the MOC was ready to speak on the issue yesterday.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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