By Jacob Ajom

Chairman of the Lagos State Badminton Association, Francis Orbih is hopeful the 2017 sporting calendar would usher fresh breath for badminton in Nigeria.

Speaking at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex in Lagos during the First Governor’s South West Badminton Championships, Orbih expressed delight that the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode came to the rescue of the South West states by initiating the championship as a replacement for the annual Lagos International Badminton tournament.

“In the absence of the National Sports Festival and the annual Lagos International championships, this event will give us(South West states) an avenue to discover young talents and keep our already established stars in competitive mood. We thank Governor Ambode for this opportunity given our players,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Godwin Olofua of Lagos State and Zainab Momoh of Oyo State emerged winners of the first Governor’s South West Badminton Tournament, which ended at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Yaba, Lagos on Saturday.

The championship, which  featured players from the six South West states, included the country’s top 16 ranked players from the region.

Olofua and Momoh won N150,000 each while runners up, Bello and Atolagbe went home with N100,000 each.

Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Adewunmi Ogunsanya described the performance of the discovered athletes as exceptional, adding that the commission will give them the necessary exposure.