Lagos and Katsina are to host two national badminton championships in November, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) announced in Lagos on Wednesday.
The federation fixed November 8 to November 11 for the 1st Katsina Golden Star National Badminton Championship, while it scheduled November 15 to November 18 for the 1st Mutual
Benefits Assurance National Badminton Championship in Lagos.
The President of BFN, Francis Orbih, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that N2.7 million cash prizes was at stake for each of the tournament.
“The competitions in Katsina has a prize of about N2.7 million at stake. Cash prizes available are for singles in the men and women categories, first, second, third to 16th positions, while doubles and mixed doubles have prizes to nthe eight positions.
“For the first time in the history of the sports in Nigeria, entries of players for the tournaments will be done online through the BFN website —www.badmintonnigeria.org,” he said.
Orbih said that the tournaments were in fulfillment of the promises made during the board’s election.
“This is in line with the promises we made before we were elected into the board of the federation.
“It’s is a double slam and a unique way to take off and start the end of year activities.
“Katsina Golden Star Badminton Club is blazing the trail and Mutual Benefit Assurance is following closely; it is a sign of better days ahead for badminton in Nigeria,’’ Orbih told NAN.
The president expressed delight with staging of the two national championships coming few months after the Lagos International Badminton Classic held in July.
“This is the first national outing of the new federation board; we have not had any national tournament for some years.
“This is what players and stakeholders have been yearning for. We will be able to effectively rank our players after these tournaments.’’
Orbih said the federation decided to give equal cash prizes to both male and female players to promote gender equality and boost the morale of female players.
“We will not encourage gender discrimination in badminton and that is why the prize money is the same for the male and female categories.’’
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