Top seeds, Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Dorcas Adesokan have emerged the champions of the first edition of the Rivers Governor’s Badminton Championship, which ended yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Opeyori defeated doubles partner and friend, Godwin Olofua 2-0 (22-20, 21-17) in the men’s category, while Adesokan beat Deborah Ukeh 2-1 (21-14, 18-21, 21-17) in the Women’s category. The champions took home N300, 000 each.
In the Mixed doubles, the pair of Enejoh Abah and Peace Orji beat Yunusa Momoh and Ramatu Yakubu 2-0 (21-17, 21-6) to pick the top prize. In the men’s doubles Jimka Ifraimu and Ola Fagbemi beat Clement Korobakpo and Isaac Minaphee 2-1 (20-22, 17-21, 23-21).
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Mrs Ipalibo Banigo Harry who represented Governor Nyesom Wike, commended the players for their display, while reinstating the government commitment to the development of badminton in the country.
She stated that Rivers has been in the forefront of sport development with the hosting of top class national and international events. She said that state government has a tool to empower the youths in the state.
While commending the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for hosting a flawless event, she assured that the Africa Senior Badminton Championship, which Rivers is hosting next April would be one to remember.
President of the BFN, Francis Orbih thanked Governor Wike for his support for sports development in general and badminton in particular. He said the commitment of Rivers to the development of badminton is giving the BFN the courage to move on.
He said the championship has become a new high in National Badminton Championship in the country with a total prize money of N7.02million. Orbih also commended the players who came to represent their states, the coaches, officials and administrator.
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