Port Harcourt will from April 22 to April 28, 2019 host the Africa Badminton Senior Championship Tournament.
The Rivers State Government also expressed readiness to host the event which will attract no fewer than 20 African countries.
Francis Orbih, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), said that “Nigeria will be the center of attention in African Badminton community, as Rivers State is set to host the Africa Senior championship.”
He stated that the tournament is made up of two separate tournaments; mixed team event and the individual championship.
Orbih disclosed that 18 countries have already registered for the tournament, which will see the best male and female badminton players on the African continent compete for glory.
“As fans and lovers of badminton will be storming Rivers State, Nigeria, economic and commercial activities will boom,” he Orbih stated.
The BFN boss urged the athletes and other tourists that will be visiting to enjoy the hospitality of the state and other potentials.
Speaking at the media briefing, the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, assured of the successful hosting of the continental sports event.
Iyaye, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mildred Hart, said: “The expected level of participation shows that Rivers state is still one of the most important destinations for sport tourism in Nigeria and Africa “.
The commissioner maintained that with the kind of infrastructural investment made by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the state was not surprised to see the quality of countries interested in coming to the state to take part in the championship tournament.
