NAN-S-1
Rankings
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Aug. 16, 2017 (NAN) Frank Orbih, the President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), has promised to take the sport to enviable heights both at national and continental levels.
Orbih told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that plans were ongoing to ensure that Nigeria got back to the top of the continental rankings.
NAN reports that Nigeria with the likes of Grace Daniel and Jim Kam dominated the African scene in the women and men’s singles between 2010 and 2014.
However, in recent times, it has not been the case since these Abuja-based players left the scene.
Orbih attributed the dwindling fortune of the sport in the last four years to lack of proper replacement structure.
“Why can’t we maintain our number one status in Africa today like it used to be some few years back?
“The reason is simple. It is because there is no proper grooming structure on ground for a seamless succession and emergence of younger talents to take over from the top players.
“Those top players did not groom the younger players to step into their shoes. So, as they were getting to the peak of their playing careers, there were no players to replace them.
“As a result, we are struggling at the continental level,’’ he said.
Nigeria is currently ranked eighth in Africa with Egypt, Mauritius and Zambia topping the men and women’s rankings on the continent.
The president, however, assured that the federation would swing into action by taking the game to the grassroots to attract new players and fans that would in no time make the game soar.
“Now, we are going to embark on grassroots development of the sports. We are taking the game back to the schools.
“Our goal is to make the game one of Nigeria’s most popular sports within the next four years,’’ he said.
He promised to secure sponsorships that would see the federation organise more tournaments across the country.
“I am optimistic that soon, badminton competitions would flood all the geo-political zones in the country as a result of the efforts my team will make.
“The sponsors are willing to be part of the game with funds for competitions as long as there is transparency and accountability and they are convinced that what they are giving is going for what it was earmarked for,’’ he added. (NAN)
VO/KOLE/PDE
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Ejiofor)