By Rebecca Gichana
When it comes to choosing a sport one loves, girls are expected to choose soft sporting activities like volleyball, handball and maybe swimming.
Generation Next met with two sisters who despite their religion have been able to do well in taekwondo.
Islam forbids girls from uncovering their head, hence removing their hijab is an abomination.
However, for the love of the sport, the sisters have overcome religion.
Khadhija Hassan and her younger sister Mihi Jae from Dagoreti Muslim Primary School have done well in taekwondo, regarded as a boy’s game for a long time.
“Many people say this is a boy’s game, but after encouragement from my parents, I have realised it is a good game for all. Initially I was afraid that it was a dangerous sport, but I have learnt that with protective gear it is rare for one to get injured,” says Khadhija who is 12 years old.
Khadhija has so far won one gold medal this year in the under-12 category.
“I have learnt many protective techniques from the sport. Even boys in our class fear ‘taekwondo girls’ and that makes us superior to them.
“My greatest dream is to represent Kenya in the international sporting events like All African Games and Olympics in future,” adds Khadhija.
Her younger sister finds the sport entertaining and interesting. The ten-year-old says that taekwondo helps her not only to keep fit, but also keeps her busy.
“My free time is spent training. That is after classes and during the weekend. I have won three certificates since I started, but I hope to win gold medals in future through hard work.
“We are not supposed to remove our hijab, but when we play taekwondo we have to remove it for identification purposes,” says Jae.
The girls train at the Kawangware CDF hall daily after school.
