African Senior Badminton Championship: How NSC Lifted The Morale of Players – Bar. Orbih

At a time when the leadership of Badminton Federation of Nigeria ( BFN) were cracking their brains on how to source for money to fund the participation of Nigeria at the African Senior Badminton Championship, Bar. Francis Orbih has revealed how the National Sports Commission ( NSC) came to their rescue, reports www.totorinews.com

Orbih, who is the BFN President, said that the visit of Hon. Bukola Olopade, the NSC DG to the camp of the athletes in Abuja and the good news that all the needs of the athletes will be taken care of by the NSC created positive vibe among the athletes and boosted their morale to represent Nigeria very well at the championship, where Anuoluwapo Opeyori, the reigning Africa’s number one is the defending champion.

“Funding is a big challenge, but the NSC has been very supportive. The DG informed the athletes that all their needs will be taken care of, approval has been gotten and that is very encouraging and lifted the spirits of the athletes,” Bar. Francis Orbih told the media in Abuja before the team departed for Douala, Cameroon.

“And  moving forward, NSC is committed to make sure that the right thing is done regarding sports in Nigeria. It is very glaring that Nigeria sport is gradually moving away from the past and that has to do with funding.

Speaking further, he said that BFN is not expecting the government alone to fund sport, but the private sector can also complement the efforts of the government in making badminton more viable in Nigeria.

“In the area of funding, we are not looking at government alone. We are looking at the private sector, but for the private sector to come in, you must create an enabling environment that is inviting and that is what the NSC under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko as Chairman and Hon. Bukola Olopade is doing right now.

“Our prayer is that God will give them the grace to continue in that direction,” he prayefully concluded.

Team Nigeria badminton will depart Abuja this weekend for Douala, Cameroon with 10 players, two coaches and other officials of BFN and the tournament is slated to run between 10th – 17th February, 2024.