9th February, 2012
President of Nigeria Badminton Federation, NBF, Justice Danlami Senchi, has confirmed that the federation’s players are set to take part in the 2012 Olympic qualifier tournament which takes place from 22-28 February in Addis Ababba, Ethiopia.
The Nigerian badminton team had just arrived from Kampala, Uganda after taken part in an invitational tourney where they finished second behind hosts.
Speaking on the state of preparedness of the players for the Ethiopia tourney, the badminton boss said: “We are battle ready,” adding that their aim is to win the sole ticket available at the tourney.
Nigeria’s players are expected to face a stiff challenge from Ugandan Edwin Ekiring, who is presently ranked above 2011 All Africa Games gold medalist, Jacob Malieka of South Africa.Nigeria’s Jinkan Ifraimu is in third place on African ranking.
Meanwhile, Timi Tonye, the First National Vice-President of the NBF said that the federation was presently looking at possible ways of making the game attractive to Nigerians.
Tonye said that the game of Badminton was not elitist, and that it was the only game that is capable of exercising all parts of the body, as maximum pressure is exerted on the shuttle during the game.
He further said that badminton “improves human alertness and agility”, describing the game as “lovers game’’.
—Bamidele Olowosagba