Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Badminton Federation of Africa (BFA) has unveiled the official mascot for the 2019 All Africa Senior Badminton Championship barely three weeks to the commencement of the event.in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The name of the mascot is Alabo The Shuttler.
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria BFN Francis Orbih Esq during the gathering in Port Harcourt, said 18 countries have registered for the tournament.
According to him, based on the class of athletes and countries that will participate in the championship, a special mascot has been created for the fiesta to reflect the culture of the people.
Orbih thanked the Rivers State Government for its support, stressing that the State is ready to host the competition. He assured that Nigeria will host and win the championship.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, Olusaki Adesola said hosting the tournament in Port Harcourt is a homecoming, considering the fact that Rivers State has in past produced champions in badminton.
He assured that his ministry will ensure that only capable hands headboards of sports federations in the country. The Permanent Secretary commended the leadership of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for a job well done.”BFN is one of the vibrant federations in the country.
The achievement of BFN is worthy of emulation,” Adesola said. He thanked Governor Nyesom Wike for his support to BFN and assured that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Sports will give all necessary support for a successful hosting of the tournament in Port Harcourt.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye said Rivers State has successfully hosted a badminton championship before and shall do it again. He said all that is needed to do that have been provided.
He tasked the athletes to put in their bests to win laurels.
On his part, the President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Mr Honour Sirawoo described sports as a bedrock for wealth creation globally.
He appealed to BFN and the Federal Government to integrate sports writers in their training programmes to enhance their skills.
Sirawoo assured BFN that SWAN will do everything possible to ensure a successful championship.
The championship is billed for April 22 to 28,2019 at Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex in Port Harcourt
