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The Nigeria International Badminton Championship which held from the 24th to 26th October, 2013, had the finals and the closing ceremony at the Badminton Section of the Ikoyi Club 1938, with over 60 male and female badminton players in attendance.
The tournament which was a program in the 2013 calendar of the Badminton World Federation was aimed at creating a healthy competition amongst badminton players across the globe.
The three-day championship was used for the ranking of players who vied for honours in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles categories.
Nigeria emerged the champion after winning all the titles in the tournament. Both Jinkam Boulos and Fatimah Azeez won the male and female singles title respectively.
Nigeria also won the men and women’s doubles and mixed doubles to share the 5,000 dollars prize money.
The players expressed delight at the outcome of the tournament and called for more of such competitions to enable them improve their rankings and skills. They urged the government and corporate Nigeria not to turn deaf ears to their pleas as the sport has over 5 medals up for grabs at any major Championship.
In his remarks, the Vice President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Barrister Frank Orbih, stated categorically, that hosting the Championship has given the country a voice in the world body and also updated the playing skills of our players
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The tournament which ended on Saturday October 26th, at the Ikoyi Club 1938, had the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola as the Special Guest of Honour. He was represented by the State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi.
Among the distinguished guests that graced the finals and closing ceremony were the Chairman, Ikoyi Club 1938, Mr. Adewale Dorherty, the Vice Chairman, Mr. Yomi Orenuga, Chairman of the Badminton Section, Ikoyi Club 1938, Mr. Kunle Ajala, Board members of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, and ex badminton players.
Winners were presented with Trophies, medals and cash prizes for their efforts while sponsors received plaques in appreciation of their support for the success of the tournament.
Three countries competed in the championship and Nigeria finished 1st, with Ghana and Uganda taking the 2nd and 3rd respectively.
And for the first time in the history of the game of badminton in Nigeria, a female referee from Uganda Harriet Samugabi Nattabi was the chief Referee who handled every aspect of the championship officiously and with excellence.