Like a melodious tune from a mass orchestra, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) at their Shuttle Symphony at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, modulated a new music, setting the tune for next month’s Lagos International Badminton Classics.
Francis Orbih was the choirmaster, as Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Suleiman, Mai Bade, Emir of Gashua, gave royal colouration at the event attended by corporate badminton friendly organisations.
ValueJet in the aviation industry lifted the occasion with gift items for the attendees. Obi Asika, a creative industry entrepreneur and familiar face in the popular family television programme, ‘Nigerian Idol,’ added colour, as the crowd was enthralled with the tale of success of badminton in Nigeria.
Africa number one men’s player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, was the face of success that the BFN had recorded. He captivated the jammed hall with his grass-to-grace story.
“In deed, the graph is looking upward,” BFN board member and the 2019 Africa Woman in Badminton award winner, Obiageli Solaja, said. It was a gathering of best of the best among the backers of the sport. It was a successful meeting of corporate bodies, as they strive to further promote badminton in Nigeria.
Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, stood in for the Lagos State Government. Traditional supporters, notably, Mutual Benefit Assurance, Studio 24, Avis and GIG Group, were there along with representatives of EKEDC, G.E.N, Bond Energy, Inlaks Limited and Lagos State Badminton Association, as well as Lagos Country Club and the badminton section of Ikoyi Club.
The insurers and bankers – Sovereign Trust and Wema Bank – were in attendance along with The Road Users organisation. A celebrated sports marketing expert and chairperson of the Nigerian women’s football league, Nkechi Obi, was in attendance and pledged her support. A key highlight of the event was the award of recognition to supporters, ambassadors, past presidents and sponsors.
