INTERVIEW

DORCAS ADESOKAN needs little or no Introduction to anyone who is a follower of BADMINTON. She is Africa’s Female NO 1 and has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. She recently fielded questions from SPORTS INTELLIGENCE MAGAZINE and speaks about what she has been doing since the covid-19 lockdown.

What new attitude have you discovered recently about yourself since the lockdown for Covid-19 started ?

I recently discovered that I cannot do without fitness exercise. I really thought I could do someday without it, but just found it’ difficult for me to avoid. It is part of me and as I stay at home each day to try doing something else in place of it, I find it difficult.

Since you made this discovery, do you go on fitness exercise alone or you get a friend to join?

 I do my workout everyday at home now. And I have been trying to respect the social-distance restriction recommended by government and World Health Organization

What negative or positive impacts has the lockdown had on you?

The lockdown have had both negative and positive impacts on me because am really the lazy type in some areas of life, while the positive impact is that I have started doing something I don’t like doing before.

You said you are the lazy type, how do you mean and what is that thing you don’t like doing before that you have started doing now?

I am the lazy type when it comes to house chores, I really don’t like doing them generally. On the positive impact, I have started cooking now, it is something I do not do before, but I practically do it every day now as a result of the stay-home order.

You mean you don't like cooking even as a female?

I don't like cooking. It is not one of my hobbies in any way, but the lockdown has compelled me to be doing more of it on daily basis now.

Did you also start cooking frequently now because you are the only female available in your home to do it?

Not really. I am not the only girl at home there are others there too who could help out with the cooking.

Then why can’t others do the cooking while Africa’s number  one relax and concentrate more on her fitness exercise ahead of the Tokyo Olympics?

I just decided to be doing it and take some responsibilities. They (others) have really been doing it all this while and I have concentrated on my career as an athlete, which usually is an outside-the- home affair. But with this lockdown that has kept everyone at home, I felt it will be nice if I take up that responsibility and show some love.

Which food exactly is your best?

I really do not have any best food, I eat anything depending on what I feel like eating at a particular time, but I really love plantain a lot.

Let’s look at your career now, who is the toughest player you have ever played in life and where was that?

Hmm....The toughest player I have ever encountered is Kate Fookune of Mauritius, and that was at the Badminton All African Championship which took place in Egypt early this year. She was tough and I think the experience is good for me.

If you have your way, what would you want to be removed from sports that you think is in existence?

Partial officiating. If I really have my way I will have it expunged totally from sports and allow fairness prevail in any game or competition.

Have you been victim of partial officiating before?

Yes of course. I have suffered in the course of partial officiating severally, and it really affected the result of my game. Like I said earlier, If I have my way, I will have it removed totally and give room for fairness on the part of the officials.

On a final note, what message for the covid-19?

I will advise all to be obedient and follow the directions of the government and authorities by keeping personal hygiene, using sanitizers and keeping social-distancing.

Thank you for your time?

You are welcome.