The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini has stressed the need for well-to-do individuals to encourage young talents in badminton sports for them to excel.
Kunini made this request during a presentation of medals won by the three young badminton players at the sixth National Youths Games held in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital in October 2021.
The ceremony which was organized by the Taraba State Director of Sports Council, Coach George Shitta was held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium Jalingo.
The Speaker who donated canvas worth N40,000, one racket, and one shuttle to each player, also pledged to place them on a monthly salary of N10,000 each while their coach will be receiving N20,000 monthly respectively.
Prof. Joseph Albasu Kunini also donated 12 pairs of canvases to the team and 6 tubes of shuttles aimed at encouraging them as well as appreciating them for making the state proud during their outing to Kwara state.
According to him, encouraging the upcoming players became imperative as the state had produced African based, as well as Nigerian based players but yet has nothing to show for the feat.
He, however, promised to organize a tournament in November 2022 between his Abuja badminton club, Jahi, and his home club, the Veterans’ club of Taraba State with the view of exposing young talents in the state to the world.
A retired Permanent Secretary in the state civil service, Alhaji Adamu Sani Kona who is one of the veterans commended the Speaker for the gesture and encouraged the young players to be more committed.
The head coach of badminton in Taraba State and Board member of, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, who is also the Director of Taraba State Sports Council, recognized that the veterans’ club has been supportive to the young players in all aspects.
He described the gesture by the Speaker as the first of its kind, pledging that the young players will leave up to expectations to justify what he has done for them as the National U-19 championship is around the corner, and called on others to emulate him.
According to George Shitta, Taraba State have all it takes to be the world makers of sports in Nigeria.
“we have abundant talents, we have the facilities. We just need small intensives.
“We are finding ways to reach out to His Excellency, Governor Darius Ishaku for him to be aware of what the state badminton club is doing for the state under his watch, so that he will be able to appreciate them, as the number citizen he is very happy with the development,” Shitta added.
Coach of the -15 club, Bakari Malam on behalf of the medalist’s Victor Noku, David James, and James Emmanuel appreciated the gesture and promised to do more to continue making the state proud.
Female players, Jamila Damilola Suleiman, Janet Gabriel, Gloria Tsokwa, and Blessing Isaac all appreciated the speaker, Prof. Joseph Albasu Kunini as a father and mentor and thanked him for the gesture to the young champions.
They also called on parents to allow their female children to engage in sports as it will improve their health status, adding that they can even make it a career.
The record shows that Taraba State is currently number 22 on the National medals list and the 1st in the North East.
Sani Sulaiman