By Godwin Wambebe
It was a gathering of who is who in the Kogi state Badminton fraternity on Monday 27th December 2021 at the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Club in Lokoja,Kogi state where the Kogi state badminton association thrilled and entertained lovers of the racket and shuttle game.
The Kogi Shuttle Splash which was organized by the Kogi state Badminton Association in conjunction with OGIS Badminton Club and Confluence badminton Network was to bring both active players and veterans together to battle one another in the end of year tournament.
The Chairman of the Badminton Association in Kogi State Mr Bayo Ilori lauded the efforts and roles played by every member of the badminton family to ensure that the Kogi shuttle Splash 2021 is a reality.
" As it is my tradition,I normally Organize a tournament for my players at the end of the year to appreciate them for their effort through the years and so while we were trying to put together this year's edition,one of our indigene based in Abuja said we should make it more elaborate and also include the veterans and with the support of Confluence badminton Club,NIWA we decided to put this in place and make it an end of the year tournament so as to bring all of our players and veterans together"
According to Mr ilori who himself is a household name in badminton in Nigeria having played and officiated at National and international level,"the initiative,idea and arrangement that gave birth to the Maiden edition of Kogi Shuttle Splash was arranged within two weeks and if we could achieve this within that short period,then with proper planning we can make it more elaborate subsequently"
He said by next year,they will roll out proper and articulate programme through proper planning for the association especially in the area of sourcing for fund,designing programmes and tournament for the would be future stars of the game and also make sure that the 2nd edition is better organized that this year's edition.
On his advise for the young ones,he said he made a career out of badminton playing at the top level until he retired from the game
"My first employment with the government was through badminton and football and that was because I was good at what I do and also disciplined.
"My advise to youths who wants to play the game of badminton or any other sports is to be serious and focus as Sports is capable of taking them to a higher pedestal in life. It can help them gain admission into higher institutions or secure employment and so focus, hardwork and discipline should be their guiding principles "
In the Veterans category, a leading sports equipment dealer in Lokoja Mr Moses Igbriwi and Mr Kenneth emerge winners while Mr Bologi and Mr Adams took Silver while the bronze medal went to Mr Micheal and Mr Abass. In the active category,Dr Ashraf and Mr Omala took Gold,Mr Okpe Bernard and Adams Jesse settled for Silver while Mr Habila/Muktar and Jesse/Dayo went home with the silver medal.
Those present at the tournament were personalities which include the Director of The Kogi State Sports Council Mr Obakachi Onipe,the executive Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Alhaji Mohammed Danasabe Mohammed who himself plays for the veterans and top personalities
The Kogi Shuttle Splash is the first edition and the organizers have.promised to make it an annual end of the year tournament.
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