The Lagos State Badminton Association (LSBA) will host a four-day championships, tagged “1st Governor’s South-West Badminton Championships from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10.
The association’s Chairman, Francis Orbih, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the event would hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba, in Lagos.
Orbih, who also doubles as the Chairman, South-West States Badminton Associations, said the desire to end the 2016 sports calendar on a high note prompted LSBA to organise the competition.
“We are happy to stage championships that will involve the top 15 players from each of the south-west states.
“Top players from Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti are expected to participate with some selected players from Plateau and Abuja.
“We will also have young players in the U-15 category who will compete for honours at the championships,’’ Orbih said.
According to the chairman, 2016 was challenging for the sport due to lack of funds and lack of competitions.
“This year has been turbulent for the sport; there was paucity of funds and support from the national federation which resulted in lack of competitions to keep our players in good shape.
“It has been a tough year, we were not able to carry out many of our laid out programmes.
“But we have to put all that behind us now and focus on the future which is creating that environment where our players can rise to national and international stardom.
“The yearly International Badminton Classics which had put Lagos State on the international map, regrettably, could not hold this year,’’ Orbih told NAN.
“We had to pay dearly for not holding the championships.
“However, we have to move forward and try to work together with all stakeholders for the glory of the sport and the development of our youths.’’ (NAN)