Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured that the government and people of the state will provide a serene conducive environment for the 2019 All African Seniors Badminton Championships.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) at the weekend in Government House Port Harcourt, Wike thanked the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) for approving Port Harcourt as the city to host the rest of the continent.
He assured the Badminton family that the Rivers State Government will get the venue for the tournament ready before the Rivers Governor’s Badminton Championship
“We will prepare the Civic Centre and get it ready for the Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship. We will support the the organisation of the championship,” he said.
The governor directed the State Commissioner of Sports, Boma Iyaye to work with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) to ensure the successful hosting of Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship and the 2019 All African Senior Badminton Championships.
Earlier, the President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr Francis Orbih praised the governor for turning around the sporting sector through quality investments.
He informed Wike that Rivers State has been granted the hosting rights for the 2019 All African Seniors Badminton Championship in April.
Orbih added that the forthcoming Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship will prepare the ground for the continental fiesta.
He said that the African Badminton Championship is coming to Nigeria for the first time in 19years.
The BFN President urged the governor to assist the federation install the needed facilities that would make the Civic Centre ready for the Rivers Governor’s National Badminton Championship.
He noted that the National Badminton hero, Mr Tamuno Gibson who hails from Rivers State, has contributed to the growth of the game.
Orbih said the federation will introduce a programme called Shuffle Time meant for secondary schools which will be flagged off in Rivers State as a means of developing the game..
