Niger State Sports Commission has offered automatic scholarship to two young badminton players of nine and ten years to further their studies from primary school up to the university level.
The two young Badminton players are the ten year old Mubarak Lawal from Kogi state and that of nine year old Bright Olanipekun from Niger state, as a mark of appreciation and encouragement for their love and commitment to the game of Badminton to enable pursue their education with ease.
Niger state Governor Mohammed Umar Bago who was represented by the Chairman Niger State Sports Commission, Danjuma Abdul Masu, stated this at the closing of maiden edition of Bago North Central Badminton Championship, organized by the Niger State Badminton Association held in Minna.
Mohammed Umar Bago explained that the Sports Commission had its eyes wide open in seeing that Niger state regain its footing once more in the comity of sporting states in Nigeria, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to support the already built pedestal in sports sponsorship, participation and performance all well.
He however thanked the organizers of the first ever North Central Badminton Championship under the leadership of its Chairman Mohammed Nma Kolo, athletes the Media and sponsors of this memorable event that provided avenue for athletes to express themselves physically, socially and mentally to the admiration of spectators.
In his,remarks at the occasion, President Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr Frank Orbih represented by the Director Technical, Mr Tunde Kasim said the winner of the men single event Aliyu Saudi will represent Nigeria at the under nineteen Africa Championship and World Championship coming up in Casablanca, Morocco in October this year, and challenged other states in Nigeria to organize similar tournament.
The Chairman Niger State Badminton Association, Mohammed Nma Kolo said the event will now be held annually and on rotational basis to states from the North Central for every host state to showcase its talent.
Mohammed Nma Kolo added that the winner Aliyu Saudi from Niger state received two hundred dollars, second Aliyu Shehu also from Niger state got one hundred and fifty dollars and the third Emmanuel Nato from Plateau state went home with one hundred dollars while many winners from various categories were not left out.
COV ALIYU LAWAL.
