By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, on Friday charged the newly inaugurated Badminton Federation Board (BFN) to work as a team with a view to recording greater successes in the racket game.
The Minister gave the charge during the inauguration of the newly elected Board members of the Federation in his office in Abuja.
According to him, Badminton, like other games, require team participation to thrive, he therefore charged all the parties involved to place the interest of the game above all, so as to lift the Sport to greater height.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alh. Ismaila Abubakar, the Minister said, “it is on a good note that the aggrieved Stakeholders have addressed the issues of concern and have jointly discontinued litigation in the Federal High Court, in the spirit of One-Sport-One Family, which the BFN has always been known for.
“This development necessitated the conduct of your peaceful election today by the same Electoral Committee, where winners have now emerged for the logical conclusion of the process which began in 2021”, he reiterated.
Dare added further that “following the expiration of the tenure of office for the 2017-2021 Boards, in line with the Olympic cycle and the National Sports Federations’ established Guidelines were activated, resulting in the conduct of elections for Board membership in each Sport, across the six Geo-political Zones and other Stakeholders”.
He noted that the election of the Board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria was however put on hold due to the Ministry’s respect for the Court injunction that was instituted by some aggrieved Stakeholders, shortly before the 30 September, 2021 election.
The Minister emphasized that “as President, Vice President and Members of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, the task of deepening the development of Sports, now squarely lies on your shoulders”
“I salute the sheer sense of patriotism, with which each of you voluntarily contested to be part of this National assignment, which comes without any form of remuneration”
“I charge you all to be absolutely guided by the established processes, procedures and the Code of Governance of National Sports Federations in the discharge of your responsibilities. You are required to bring your BFN Constitution to be in consonance with the Ministry’s 2021 Code of Governance before the end of June, 2022”, Dare added.
Responding, the newly elected BFN President, Francis Orbih, stated that the new board is committed and dedicated to the upliftment of Badminton in the country.
While describing the successful election as a victory for the Federation, he called on all stakeholders to join hands with the Board in the task of ensuring the growth and development of Badminton in Nigeria and beyond.
Other board members include; Mr. Lawal Yusuf Bello (North-east), Engr. Shehu Sulyman Warah (North-central), Mrs. Solaja Catherine Obiageli (South-east) Mr. Tangbe Felix Awala South-South), Grace Gabriel (Athletes Reps), Esther Gidado (NAWIS), Tunde Kazeem (NAPHER-SD, Alhaji Malik Anas Sponsor/Philanthropist / Ex-Officio, Etuku TY (Technical Rep) as well as international Representative.
