The Badminton Federation of Nigeria’s recently organised ‘Shuttle Time’ training event at the Ilisan Community Town Hall, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State was meant to take the game to the grassroots, Francis Orbih, the BFN boss has stated.
The event, which was held April 5 and 6 in partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, is designed by the World Badminton Federation’s ‘Shuttle Time’ and is held in various locations across 150 countries.
According to Orbih, it is targeted at boys and girls between the ages of five and 15 years old, with a view to introducing them to the game in a fun-filled way.
“Apart from providing children their first access to play badminton, it aims at providing children and youths, the opportunities to lead a healthy and active life, in and out of school,” Orbih added.
Orbih stated that holding the event in a rural area was particularly important to the BFN, whose goal is to take the game of badminton to the grassroots in Nigeria.
He added that it was the only way the current BFN board could ensure that out of reach Nigerians were able to have access to the basics of the game, thus, expanding the talent pool for the BFN to nurture into future badminton stars.
Students and Physical Education teachers from 13 secondary schools in Ilisan, Abeokuta, Sagamu, Simawa, Iperu, Ikenne and Isanbi attended the event.
Shuttle Time Nigeria coordinator Tajudeen Suleiman trained the students and their Physical Education teachers in attendance.
