Rivers State Govt, NBF Organize Badminton Tournament In Port Harcourt

Gladys Nweke

All is now set for the first-ever National Badminton Championship in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.

The event tagged, “Governor’s National Badminton Championship is organized by the Rivers State Government in conjunction with the Nigeria Badminton Federation (NBF).

Addressing Sports Writers on Tuesday at the NUJ Press Centre in PortHarcourt, the President of NBF, Mr Francis Obe said the tournament billed for the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex is meant to test run the All African Badminton Championship coming up in April, 2019 in Nigeria.

According to him, the Rivers State Government under the able leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike has volunteered to host the prestigious badminton championship here in Rivers State.

The NBF President said the First Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship will hold between 19/12/2018 to 22/12/2018 with about 144 athletes from 24 States in Nigeria competing.

Mr Obe said the badminton competition, which will be in stages, shall be categorized under Men’s singles, Women’s singles, Men’s doubles, Women’s doubles, as well as Mixed doubles.

The NBF Boss said the major aim of the tournament is to sensitize the public on the game of badminton, which he said have suffered a lull over time.

Apart from the attendant fun associated with the 4-day sports event, Obe said a whopping sum of over N7m prize money has been earmarked for winners of the championship.

The event he said will also feature comedy, music, dance and raffle draw among others.