From Our Sports Correspondent
The Francis Ibhawoh Foundation, in collaboration with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), the Edo State Ministry of Education, and the Edo State Sports Commission, hosted a two-day badminton training event for games masters, mistresses, and students in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Held on January 22-23, 2025, at the indoor hall of Esan Model Grammar School, the program trained Physical Education teachers from 23 secondary schools and 69 students in the fundamentals of badminton.
The training was led by certified "Shuttle Time" coaches Godswill Ifejika, Olalekan Fajimiyo, and Blessing Osayomwanbo.
Designed to teach both students and their teachers the basics of badminton simultaneously, the initiative aimed to build capacity at the grassroots level. Ambrose Okonofua, the games master of Irrua Girls Secondary School, commended the training, noting its potential to inspire future badminton champions. Coach Olalekan Fajimiyo praised the high turnout and enthusiasm of participants.
The Commissioner of Education, represented by the Principal of Ujoelen Grammar School, Ekpoma, applauded the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation for promoting badminton in Edo State.
She highlighted the event as a testament to Edo State's status as a sports hub and urged other prominent individuals from Esanland to invest in similar developmental activities.
As part of the event, 23 participating schools received badminton equipment, including rackets, nets, and shuttlecocks, courtesy of the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation and the CSED Initiative.
This outreach is part of the BFN's ongoing effort to expand badminton's reach across Nigeria through initiatives like "Shuttle Time," which has also engaged IDP camps and refugee communities in places like Uhogua and Ogoja, Cross River State.
