NAN-S-9
Badminton
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, July 14, 2017 (NAN) The newly elected president of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has promised that the sport’s faithful would soon enjoy the opportunity of watching competitions regularly.
Orbih told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that as soon as the newly elected board of the federation was sworn in on July 20, they would swing into serious work.
He said the target of the board would be to see the state associations working meticulously and proving why they are part of the federation.
“We cannot have dormant associations among us and will not welcome any excuse for any ineffectiveness from our member associations.
“Our mode of operation is to designate the entire nation into six regions according to their geopolitical zones.
“This, we will do by watching their activities and hopefully spread the game closer to people and would be fans.
“We also intend to train new coaches, table officials and referees and most importantly, develop new players at the grassroots,’’ Orbih said.
The president-elect told NAN that he was quite pleased with how Lagos State Government had always given the sport the support, especially in organising local and international meets.
“Lagos State has done greatly in organising competitions and they deserve a lot of credit; this exactly is what we expect from other states, so, we challenge each association to do likewise.
“We expect stakeholders and private partnerships from every association to help develop the sport and bankroll tournaments that have our backing,’’ Orbih said.
He added that the federation would look at the grassroots where primary and secondary schools would be engaged in badminton clinics and competitions.
Meanwhile, Opeyemi Anuoluwapo, a number two ranked player in Lagos State, told NAN that with Orbih coming as the federation’s president, badminton would definitely enjoy great progress.
He said that Orbih was someone deeply concerned with the development of the sport and the players in general.
“I am happy about the new leadership; I believe we will enjoy a period of quality programmes and regular tournaments,’’ Anuoluwapo said.
Ukeh Deborah, another player with the Lagos team, told NAN that she was quite pleased with Orbih emerging as the federation’s president.
“We all are aware about Orbih’s achievements, even when he was the vice-president he is someone that is very passionate about the progress of the sport and the players.
“With Orbih in charge, the future of the game is definitely going to turn out very well,’’ she said.
Both players in the Lagos team will lead the Nigeria Challenge in seeking for honours at the forthcoming Lagos International Badminton Classics which tips off on July 26. (NAN)
BAO/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)