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Jinkam tips Nigerians to shine at Abuja Int’l Badminton Championship

By David Ngobua @Ngobuadavid

Former Africa number one badminton player, Jinkam Ifraimu has tipped his compatriots, Ola Fagbemi, Enejo Abah, Grace Gabriel and Maria Braimah to excel at the Abuja International Badminton Championship which begins on Wednesday.

The Badminton Confederation of Africa ( BCA) and the World Badminton Federation( WBF) sanctioned championship which will hold at the package B of the Abuja national stadium will attract nine countries among them the US, Austria, Poland and a host of other Africa countries.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Jinkam who has been ruled out of the championship by a nagging knee injury said although he is not going to participate, he is confident other Nigerian players who have confirmed their participation will do the country proud.

He said the Nigerians are among the best on the continent of Africa and would give a good account of themselves.

“I am not going to take part in the championship because of injury but I am confident that other Nigerian players like Ola Fagbemi, Enejo Abah, Grace Gabriel, Maria Braimah will not disappoint.

“Having just returned from the recently concluded All Africa Games where we had a fairly good outing, I am sure Nigerians will not be disappointed”.

He also lauded the badminton Federation of Nigeria for hosting the championship which he said is what Nigerian players need to garner the required experience to compete favourably with their counterparts from other countries.

“It is a good one for Nigerian badminton players. I commend the federation for this giant stride. It will help the players to improve for the good of Nigerian badminton.”

International stars expected to feature at the four- day event are Kate Fookune, the Mauritian who won the female gold in the just concluded All African Games and the male gold medalist, Edwin Ekiring from Uganda.

3rd World Polio Day para-soccer tourney gets date

By David Ngobua

The 3rd edition of the World Polio Day National Para-soccer tournament will hold October 19 to 24 at the package B of the Abuja National stadium.

The president of the Para-soccer Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Misbahu Lawan Didi who doubles as president of polio survivors in Nigeria said the tournament is part of activities lined up to commemorate the World Polio Day and also raise public awareness on the national and global eradication effort.

He also said the World Polio Day would be celebrated to step up advocacy campaign on the need for families to accept oral polio vaccination, meaningfully rehabilitate and empower polio survivors through sports and help promote para-soccer which is the only disabled sport invented in Nigeria

Misbahu said apart from the para-soccer tournament, there will be one kilometre end-polio walk and vaccination of 20 children by the polio survivors athletes.

Speaking more on the para-soccer tournament, he said the federation is expecting at least 16 para-soccer clubs across the country just as he disclosed that at least 200 athletes and team officials would be in Abuja for the tournament.

He therefore called on well meaning Nigerians to support people with disabilities to enable them live meaningful lives.

“As usual, I am calling on Nigerians especially the media to support this tournament. We also need to publicise the activities we have lined up to celebrate this year’s World Polio Day.

“I am sure those who attended our previous tournaments would not like to miss this year’s event. The best para-soccer teams will be on parade,” he assured.