Action began on Wednesday at the 1st Katsina Golden Star Badminton championship with 24 states, 4 Military and paramilitary clubs participating at a first Badminton Championship in the country in four years.
Tanko Nairu From Kogi state became the first player to exit the championship losing 19-21 , 14 – 21 to Lagos state Daniel Christ in the preliminary round.
In other results, Tunde Raji representing the Nigerian Army defeated Kehinde Adebayo from Kwara state in a very entertaining encounter 21-19, 21 -19.
The Home fans were disappointed to see Marvelous Omatagiren from Golden star club lose to Benue’s Nator Iorselem 13-21, 19-21. Habeeb Sanni dealt the home fans a further blow coming from behind to win 18-21, 21-10, 21-16 against Khalil Shamsudeen of Golden Star Club.
Meanwhile, President Badminton Federation of Nigeria Francis Orbih, has said the priority of the present board is the welfare of players at all levels.
Orbih was speaking in Katsina during the 1st Katsina Golden Star Badminton championship on Wednesday.
“I may have a sleepless night for my players to be comfortable. They are human beings like me and they are also major stakeholders without whom this tournament will not take place”.
Orbih who was accompanied by some board members, expressed satisfaction with the general logistics which includes accommodation, feeding and means of transportation for the players who are participating in the 1st Katsina Golden star Badminton championship.
