Lagos – The Nigeria Wushu KungFu Federation (NWKF) has expressed displeasure over the non-inclusion of the sport to feature at the All Africa Games (AAG) holding in Congo Brazzaville in September.
The Games is scheduled to hold from Sept. 4 to Sept. 19.
Michael Oladeinde, NWKF Technical Director, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that efforts to ensure that the National Sports Commission included the sport at the Games proved abortive.
Oladeinde said that the situation would have an effect on athletes that have worked hard preparing to exhibit their skills.
“It’s really sad that among the shortlisted sports that the country will be featuring, wushu is not among. The painful thing is that wushu is just not considered.
“This would have been the first time that wushu will be making its first appearance in the AAG and we intended to take the advantage to boost the nation’s medal table at the event.
“As we are making efforts to be included here, our athletes have been warming up, but with this sad development now, our dream has been defeated,’’ he said.
He, however, urged the martial act practitioners to continue to train in spite of the development.
Oladeinde stressed that opportunities would come up through other championships.
According to him, the country’s athletes have been doing exploits in other championships organised in Africa, but wanted to repeat such at the AAG in Congo. (NAN)
